Former Worthing council secretary celebrates 100th birthday with a family party

Peggy Moore received a card from the King and Queen, and enjoyed chatting over old times with her children, Christopher and Pamela, grandchildren Charlie, Ryan and Stacey, and great-grandson Oscar.

Pamela said: “She is marvellous for her age and still living independently.”

Born Peggy Ardley on September 8, 1926, she moved from Brighton to Lancing Park with her parents and brother in 1948, when she was 22.

She was working in London when she met her husband Bill Moore at a dance school in Redhill. He was living in Tinsley Green at the time.

Peggy said: “The dance school was convenient to go to on the way home from London.”

They were married at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lancing in 1952 and bought a house in Loxwood Avenue, Worthing.

Peggy remembers watching the carriages arrive for the Queen's Coronation at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. She said she had to have a special pass to be able to get into Victoria Street.

Peggy then took a job as a secretary at Worthing Town Hall and remained working there until she had Christopher. Four years later, she had Pamela and with two young children, the family moved in next door to Peggy's parents in Lancing Park.

Pamela said: “All our lives, growing up, we lived next door to our nan. She used to babysit. They used to go out dancing every week to the dance hall in Worthing.”

Having met while dancing, Peggy and Bill danced together all their married life, often taking part in competitions. Pamela said she could remember all the beautiful dresses her mum had for dancing, made by her friend Daisy, who was a seamstress.

Bill worked at Marriotts Garage in Lancing but he always wanted his own place. He bought Morris Road Garage in Lewes when Pamela was about five and Peggy would do the accounts and clerical work.

Sadly, Peggy was only 49 when her husband died aged 52, collapsing from a heart attack while they were out dancing.

Pamela said: “She rebuilt her life and took up loads of hobbies. Mum has stayed active all her life.”

Peggy filled her days with badminton, swimming, rambling and Scrabble. She moved to Kings Court with Pamela in 1982, soon after the flats were built.

Pamela said: “The house was too big. Nan had bought a flat in the block next door and then Mum moved there with me.”

Pamela said they had many happy memories as a family and Christopher followed in his father's footsteps to become a mechanic.