A glass of Bailey’s before bed is secret to Elsie’s happy 100 years

Elsie Makin was born in Todmorden on April 22, 1920 to William and Betsy Barritt.

She attended National School Todmorden and when she was in her early teens her parents moved to the Midlands and she was brought up by her grandparents.

Elsie left school at 14 and started work at Charles Crabtree cotton mill, training to be a spinner. In her late teens she met her to be husband, Walter Clifford Makin.

They married in 1943 on April 17 at Todmorden Parish Church. They were married for 24 years when sadly Walter passed away aged 46. During their marriage they had three sons: Trevor, Terry and Paul.

Three years after Walter died Elsie met Wilf Davies and they were together for 30 years until Wilf passed away. Elsie has five grandchildren, six great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren, all of whom talk with her regularly where she lives at Monacliffe care home in Littleborough.

Elsie puts her long life down to being active, not worrying about things you cannot change and a glass of Bailey’s every night before bed.