RNLI's Muriel Davies of Bolton celebrates 102nd birthday

While turning 100 is a milestone event in anyone's life, Muriel Davies from Great Lever has hit that and then some. 

Mrs Davies will be a recognisable face to many in the town for her over 50 years' voluntary work for the RNLI, touring around pubs and clubs with the collection box. 

She also worked as a seamstress, was part of the Women's Land Army in the Second World War and has been a part of her churches congregation for 90 years. 

On July 9, she celebrated her 102nd birthday. Speaking to The Bolton News, she reflected on the things she has done in life. 

Muriel Davies turned 102 earlier this month (Image: Public)

Speaking about her RNLI work, Mrs Davies said: "My mother was involved with it before. In a small way I was asked to help and I did because it is a good charity which saves people's lives. 

"There are others, but that is a particular one for me, the sea and water can be very dangerous. 

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"I met a lot of nice people through my charity work, in pubs and clubs."

Although having lived in Bolton since she was six-years-old, Mrs Davies was born in Dereham, a town outside Norwich. 

She said: "My father was from Bury, but he worked on the railways so he moved where the work was. He met my mother during the First World War. 

Mrs Davies at the launch of the Hulton Arms in 2023 (Image: Submission)

"But I think I can call myself a Boltonian!"

She shared her secret to living to old age: "All I can think of to say is everything you want to do in your life, do it in moderation." 

Mrs Davies told of her time in the Women's Land Army, saying: "I was in that from 1943 to 1945, that was in Lincolnshire. 

"It was arable work, out in the fields, ploughing wheat, barley and rye. 

"We had imported it before, but you couldn't have it brought to you by ship or whatever so we had to be self-sufficient. 

Meeting long-lost relative Jean Thomasson, left, for the first time in 2014

"A lot of us were not in the farming community, I was different, I was a seamstress going and doing hard work like that." 

She added: "Picking potatoes all day, it is hard on your back, but when you're young you can keep with it. 

"By the end of the day you were bent double!" 

Mrs Davies has one daughter, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren, as well as a sister. Her husband, Harry, died in the early 1990s. 

On Sunday, July 21, the congregation at Unity Church, which she has been attending for 90 years, threw her a party following the service. 

Jennifer Saunders, a fellow member, said: "I have known her since I was small. She went to Unity Church when it was on Deane Road, now it is on Chorley New Road. 

"She is such an amazing lady."