A LATCHFORD legend who has an MBE and trained to be a holistic therapist aged 82 has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Margaret Isherwood born on September 9, 1918 in Banchory, Scotland had a party at the Manna House in Penketh with family and friends to mark the milestone.

Her dad was a farmer and Margaret and her brother Ian grew up on the farm – she even had her own cow and would drink milk only from this cow.

Margaret moved down to London in 1939 and lived in Croydon until the end of the war. She then moved to Warrington to work for The Admiralty and has lived here since.

It was in Warrington that she met her husband Daniel Isherwood at a dance.

Daniel and Margaret were married on April 5 1947 and not long afterwards they had two daughters, Joyce and Sandra.

Sadly, Daniel died on November 5, 1963.

As a widow Margaret continued to live a very full and active life and had several jobs over the years.

She rode around on a motorbike for an insurance job or in a Bond three-wheeler.

To become an usherette at the Odeon cinema she lied about her age, she then catered for the Bowdon Tennis Club, which led to looking after an old lady as a companion and housekeeper.

 

Margaret Isherwood

Aged 82, Margaret returned to her studies and gained qualifications in crystal healing, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, reflexology, holistic facials and Hopi ear candles, hot stone therapy and advanced aromatherapy as well as a holistic degree from Halton College and Salford University.

Since then she brushed up on her computer skills teaching others, mostly younger than herself, how to get online.

If that wasn't enough, Margaret volunteered at Age Concern for 20 years, until they became Age UK who she continues to support.

Margaret has also enjoyed travelling over the years, her first trip abroad was to Germany visiting her daughter Joyce and her son-in-law Jim in 1972.

Always keen for new experiences, she has since visited Italy, Morocco, Cyprus, Egypt, Canada and New York to name a few.

Margaret volunteered at various community groups and happily shares her skills in holistic therapies with others.

She also ran well-being older people's groups, teaching massage to NHS staff at nursing homes and offering holistic skills to various charities.

Aged 94 she was awarded the National Adult Learner of the Year award.

In more recent years, Margaret has become quite the star. In 2014 she appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, aged 96, and also received an MBE for her services to adult learning.

In recognition of her work in reducing isolation amongst the elderly she was also made an Honorary Freewoman of Warrington, in 2015 – the town's highest civic honour.

Margaret has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Margarate's granddaughter-in-law Heather said: "She continues to amaze and inspire us all."