Joyce Edge, a remarkable 103-year-old great-grandmother, has revealed her simple yet effective formula for a long and fulfilling life: a daily copy of the Daily Mirror accompanied by a glass of wine. Her unwavering dedication to the newspaper spans over eight decades, beginning in 1944 when her husband Bernard was dispatched to fight with the RAF during the Second World War.
A Lifelong Newspaper Devotion
Joyce's daily ritual of reading the Mirror started on January 17, 1944, as a way to stay informed while her husband was away at war. She has not missed a single edition since, accumulating an impressive total of 29,864 copies. "My father used to read it," Joyce explained. "So I've been reading it a lot longer really, but when my husband went to war I made sure I got it every day so I knew what was going on."
A Special Tribute from the Care Home
Staff at Henbrook House care home in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, where Joyce now resides, recently presented her with a replica of the original front page from January 17, 1944. This thoughtful gesture commemorated the beginning of her enduring passion for the newspaper. Joyce plans to display the replica prominently in her flat, cherishing the memory it represents.
The 1944 front page offers a stark contrast to modern news, highlighting how much the world has changed. It featured headlines about Moscow's new offensive during the war, reporting that "100,000 Huns have been killed" by Soviet forces since Christmas. Additionally, it covered a tragic rail crash in Ilford, East London, which resulted in the deaths of three US army personnel and MP Frank Heilgers.
Wartime Memories and Family Life
In 1944, Joyce was just two years into her marriage when Bernard left for the front line, leaving her to care for their young son, Colin. Following in her father's footsteps, she worked seven days a week at the Ransome & Marles ball bearing factory in Newark, Nottinghamshire, producing components crucial for the war effort. As the eldest of eight children, she also assisted her mother in raising her siblings during this challenging period.
The day Bernard returned from service was "one of the happiest of my life," Joyce fondly recalled. The couple went on to build a life together, welcoming two more children, Michael and Joy, and enjoying 72 years of marriage until Bernard's passing in 2014. "We used to read the paper and discuss the news together," she added, highlighting how the Mirror became a shared family tradition.
The Second Secret: A Daily Glass of Wine
Beyond her newspaper habit, Joyce attributes her longevity to another daily pleasure: a glass of wine. Brian Moore, events manager at Henbrook House, who delivers her Mirror each morning, noted, "She does love a glass of wine." Joyce confirmed this, stating, "I have one with my lunch and sometimes another with my dinner. It keeps me going."
An Active and Sharp Mind at 103
Joyce's daily reading routine has undoubtedly contributed to her mental acuity. Pauline Stewart, events coordinator at the care home, remarked, "She is just incredible. She walks so much. She goes back to her room, or her flat as she calls it, about eight times a day. That's a lot of steps. She never complains and her mind is really good."
Joyce remains actively engaged in various activities, including games like Scrabble, Hangman, and Bingo. "I play all sorts," she said. "I get involved in all the games they put on." Her competitive spirit is evident, with some residents hesitant to score against her due to her sharp skills.
Family Connections and Reflections
Joyce, who lived independently until the age of 101, moved to St Neots to be closer to her daughter, Joy, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is affectionately known as "Grandma Duck" by her family, a nickname stemming from her father's tradition of keeping ducks, which she continued.
Reflecting on her long life, Joyce expressed surprise, saying, "I wouldn't have believed it. My mum and dad died in the 1960s. People didn't last as long back then." She maintains a positive outlook, starting each day early with her makeup routine—a habit since age 16—before settling in the living room with her Mirror to catch up on the news. "I cannot grumble, I like it here. I am well looked after and people make sure I am OK," she concluded.
