Centenarian to turn on town's Christmas lights

A 100-year-old woman has said she was "honoured and privileged" to be asked to switch on her hometown's Christmas lights.

Ena Bowley will front the festive event in "dear old Banbury" on Sunday between 11:00-18:00 GMT.

The centenarian will stand outside Banbury Town Hall in Bridge Street, where she was born in 1925.

The grandmother defiantly says she will attend the event even if it rains and she plans to wear a "festive red coat".

"We were very involved in the town and a lovely sleepy old town it was then," Ms Bowley said as she reminisced about her younger years in Banbury.

Her father was the town hall keeper and mace bearer and they lived in a home which was attached to the hall.

She says one of her earliest memories was seeing her brother ride a toy truck around the town hall.

In her teenage years, and more turbulent times, she said Banbury was full of tanks and American soldiers during World War Two.

She speaks about having an American boyfriend at the time.

A man who she remained friends with and corresponded with until his death in recent years.

Ms Bowley puts her longevity down to "friends" and "dancing".

"My husband was a wonderful dancer and I didn't think I could dance after I lost Robert, 10 years ago, he was the love of my life," she said.

But she said her friends encouraged her to stay and she still goes ballroom dancing every week.

"I'm a very lucky lady that I have so many wonderful friends that help me," Ms Bowley said.

She added: "I keep young and I don't think I'm as old as I am but occasionally the old legs tell me I am."

Councillor Kieron Mallon, Mayor of Banbury, said when picking someone to switch on the Christmas lights they "look around for people who have given something to the town".

He added: "What more fitting resident of Banbury could there be to switch on our lights?"

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