Do you really want to make me fly?

Dec 16 2009 By Nick Chen, Harrow Observer

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who witnessed the beginnings of aviation and counted 80s band Culture Club and a famous archaeologist among her friends has celebrated her 105th birthday.

Sharp-minded Ada Davies held a party on Sunday with 35 friends and relatives at her home in Shaftesbury Avenue, West Harrow.

She grew up in Kensington, west London, where she was a shorthand typist, before moving to Harrow in 1940 and since then has been preoccupied with a large family of 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Granddaughter Karen Davies, 43, said: "She is a modern and interesting lady. She doesn't seem at all like a 105-year-old woman.

"My boys all love their great-grandmother because of all the stories she remembers about the first and second world wars and the Titanic sinking, which they all find to be extremely cool.

"But what they really love is her stories about living next door to Howard Carter, the man who found Tutankhamun's tomb, and how they were great friends.

"It's been really helpful as they are learning about Egypt as part of their school's curriculum."

During a day trip in 1911 to Brooklands racetrack in Surrey, with her father and elder sister, Ada was lucky enough to see the pioneering Wright brothers give a flying demonstration.

She was only seven but from then on she was interested in planes and can still recount facts and trivia on the subject.

Daughter Marianne, 78, from Wisconsin in the US, said: "My mother has a wonderful memory. For example, she remembers seeing Zeppelins drop bombs over London.

"My daughter went to a Titanic exhibit and remarked at the time that she was the only person there who had a grandmother who remembers the Titanic going down."

Son John, 70, said his sister's relation-ship with a roadie for 1980s band Culture Club meant the iconic band often popped round to their house during that decade.

"She still listens a lot to Culture Club and with Boy George always being on the news these days, she remembers band members always turning up around weekends and during breaks from touring."

He added: "She's very active for her age and with the help of carers, she still manages to live on her own.

"She still keeps many interests, other than HOstening to Culture Club, like watching snooker and football on the television.

"Sunday's party was a great event and everyone had fun.

"It's just a shame that there weren't 105 candles on the cake."