NORMA Baker (nee Hampshire), who was brought up in Ilkley, celebrated her 100th birthday on March 20. She is the granddaughter of Mary Elizabeth Hampshire who featured in the Ilkley Gazette in 1961 as Ilkley’s oldest inhabitant upon her death at 98 years. Mary Hampshire’s father was the gamekeeper on Ilkley Moor.

The Hampshires used to operate a butcher’s shop in the town and her cousin, Peter Hampshire, is still a town resident.

Norma, who was born in Queensland, lived with her patents at 9 Parish Ghyll Road until her marriage in 1948 when she relocated to North London. Since 1982, following the death of her husband Francis, she has lived on the south coast.

She worked for a time at Spooners under the founder William Spooner and during the Second World War served in the WAAF.

A celebration was held last Saturday attended by friends and family.