A Saint Catherine’s volunteer – who may well be the oldest volunteer in the country – is retiring from the role as she celebrates her 100th birthday.
Edna Bates, of Hunmanby, has volunteered at the hospice’s charity shop in Hunmanby for the past 21 years. She will step down officially from the role on Friday September 18 – the day she turns 100.
Edna lives independently with support from family and friends, including her goddaughter Elizabeth Paley, who said:
“Edna remains in remarkable health for a woman of her age. She has difficulty hearing and suffers from arthritis, but never lets anything get her down for long. I am extremely proud of her and it goes without saying that her family in Wales are also extremely proud of her.”
During the Second World War, Edna joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (which later merged into the Women's Royal Army Corps) and learned to become a height finder with the Royal Artillery. As a height finder it was her role to determine the altitude of an aircraft, which was then used to direct anti-aircraft guns.
Edna served with the Heavy Anti-Aircraft (or ‘Ak Ak’) Battery next and when it was disbanded she went to Edinburgh - on her own - to learn telephony. She is a life member of the Women’s Royal Artillery Association.
After the War Edna got a job driving trams in Leeds and occasionally did the Elland Road run when football was on - which was lucky as she is a Leeds United FC supporter!
Edna and her husband, Bob, took over Bob’s parents’ greengrocers’ shop in Armley in 1952 and stayed there for 16 years, in the days when cheese and butter were still sold by the slab and wrapped in paper.
Edna and Bob ran other shops in the Leeds area and retired in 1985 to Hunmanby. Sadly, Bob passed away in October 1994 and rests in God’s Acre, Hunmanby. The couple had been married for 51 years. Edna has raised hundreds of pounds over the years for its upkeep by holding coffee mornings and raffles.
Upon Bob’s death, Edna took over as treasurer of the village’s Photography Club as he had been a member.
She was a steward at the Methodist Chapel for 25 years officiating at various functions, and retired from that duty aged 98. Prior to lockdown she attended chapel every Sunday and plans to carry on attending in future. Edna is very proud of her work at the Saint Catherine’s charity shop in Hunmanby and has made many friends over the 21 years she has been a volunteer.
When asked what is the secret to a long and happy life, Edna said:
“Well it’s not about whiskey or anything like that! It’s down to good old-fashioned working – just don’t stop. Keep working and your mind will always stay active.”
Edna will be celebrating her birthday with family and friends in Hunmanby and has asked for voluntary donations to Saint Catherine’s in lieu of gifts. Donations can be made at www.saintcatherines.org.uk/how-you-can-help-us/make-a-donation/
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