The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

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Happy 100th birthday Margaret!

Monday April 29th 2024

Bishop George Davison wishes Margaret Sprott a happy 100th birthday on April 29.

Many congratulations to Mrs Margaret Sprott, a parishioner of St Colmgall’s, Rathcoole, who is celebrating her 100^th birthday today, Monday April 29.

Margaret, who continues to live in the house she moved into with the development of the Rathcoole estate in the 1950s, enjoyed a full weekend of celebrations, with a family meal out on Saturday; the presentation of flowers, along with tea and birthday cake after she attended church on Sunday; and some special visitors on Monday.

Among them was the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, who spent more than an hour chatting with Margaret, her daughter Sandra, son David, daughter-in-law Valerie and other family members – including Margaret’s younger brother Jim – a youthful 97!

Margaret and her younger brother Jim, aged 97.

The birthday girl was also due to receive a visit from His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim, Colonel Neil Salisbury OBE DL, on Monday afternoon.

Margaret, who cuts a sprightly figure for a centenarian, has been a parishioner in St Colmgall’s since moving to Rathcoole. She worked as a seamstress, and during World War Two was very busy stitching parachutes, Mae Wests, flairs and targets.

After the war ended, she worked at Littlewoods Factory in Woodburn, Carrickfergus, making overcoats.

Margaret married Jimmy Sprott in 1956 and has been a widow since 1979. She played indoor bowls at St Colmgall’s for 50 years, only stopping during the Covid pandemic. Until then, she had been a regular attender at church, and was involved in the Ladies’ Guild and Mothers’ Union. Since the pandemic, she does not get along to services every week, but is always there on special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, and, of course, big birthdays!

Margaret surrounded by birthday cards on her big day.,

In her living room, Margaret was surrounded by a huge number of 100^th birthday cards, indicating the great esteem in which she is held. Bishop George added his special card to those already received from King Charles and Queen Camilla and the President of Ireland.

There were multiple bouquets of flowers too – Margaret has a love of flowers and always enjoys spending time in her garden.

Margaret said she was a little taken aback to find herself 100-years-old. “It surprised me. I didn’t think about being 100 until today,” she said.

“I worked hard all my life until I was 60. I worked from I was 14 until I had children and again after. And I had a wonderful husband, though I didn’t get him for very long. I have been on my own for more than 30 years now.”

She said the presentation following the service in St Colmgall’s on Sunday had been a ‘nice surprise.’

“I feel good,” she added. “I don’t feel 100!”

Bishop George Davison, left, with Margaret and her son David and daughter Sandra.

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