KEEN dressmaker May Scaddan celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday with family and friends.
Born in Tollerton, May was the only child of Francis, an electrician, and Mary Hopkinson.
After leaving school, she worked as a nanny in Normanton-on-the-Wolds but became homesick and returned home and trained as a milliner.
Her love of fashion led her to become a machine embroiderer in the Lace Market, making quilts and lingerie.
She married Sam Scaddan at Keyworth Church in 1940 and they later had daughter, Patricia.
Years afterwards, May made the bride's and bridesmaid's dresses for her daughter's wedding.
She then tried her hand at lunchtime supervising, working at Selby Lane Infants School.
There she grew very fond of one little girl, Rita Linley, whose hand she used to hold in the playground.
Fifty years later, Rita is the owner of Hillside Farm Care Home, in Rushcliffe, and is now looking after May.
Rita said this was the first time a resident had reached the milestone birthday since she started working at the home in 1998.
She said: "It is like a role reversal. I am now holding her hand in life and I am very honoured to be able to do this for this lady."
Speaking about when May first arrived at the home, Rita said: "We were delighted to welcome her because she was a lady I have such great respect for."
Everyone at Hillside Farm joined the 100-year-old's birthday celebrations on Saturday.
May, who is still a member of Keyworth Mothers' Union, said she was excited to receive a birthday card from the Queen.
She said: "It is now on my sideboard in my room."
