A centenarian who manned the fire station switch board during the Blitz received a special visit yesterday in Heston.
Edna Goodger was presented with some festive flowers by Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran at Heston House Resource Centre, in Vicarage Farm Road, Heston. He was standing in for mayor Corinna Smart, who was unwell.
Edna celebrated her 100th birthday on August 29 this year but Mr Curran visited yesterday to wish her a happy Christmas and to thank staff including activity leader Gill Hill and senior care worker Pauline Gill for their hard work this year.
Mrs Goodger lived in Heston as a child and later in north London, Southall and Feltham, before returning to her birthplace in her retirement.
Having attended a private school for typing and shorthand, she became a clerical worker and married Eddy when she was 32 and Frank when she was 73.
During the Second World War, she worked on the fire station switch board, dispatching crews to bomb sites as London came under heavy aerial bombardment.
She describes the secret to her longevity as 'nice parents, good food and good housekeeping'.
