Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Margaret Rowland - Winter Garden House, Macklin Street, WC2
Not many Covent Garden residents can claim that they were born in the last century and are still able to remain independent, living at home on their own. An exception is Miss Margaret Rowland, a lovely, bright 100 year old.
If anyone has seen the changes in the Covent Garden area, it is Margaret. Until only two years ago, she used to go out for her daily walk - around the Piazza, as far as the river Thames or just 'down the Lane' (Drury Lane). She remembers the many different shops and buildings that have changed or disappeared and recalls the days when she shopped in Sainsbury's for 4 ounces of butter, cut from a massive slab and always the exact weight first time. Eggs were sold singly and you could chose the gauge for the bacon slicer.
Margaret is one of those people you can't help but warm to instantly. Kind, caring, very independent and with a keen sense of humour. Born in Devonshire Street (now Boswell Street, WC1) on 26th January 1899, Margaret has lived in the Bloomsbury and Covent Garden areas all her life. She vividly remembers walking to her first job in Farringdon Street and working for Woolworth's ("nothing over sixpence, and nothing over one shilling and eleven pence three-farthings at M&S next door") and in Holborn. After taking a Pittman touch-typing course, Margaret achieved a better job at EMI in Farringdon Road. "They were one of the best firms to work for" she remembers fondly.
Margaret recounts how she lost her home during the Blitz. She then lived in Gray's Inn Road with her mother and remembers how they lost all their belongings and had to be dug from the debris. They were rehoused in Marchmont Street and then, after the death of her mother, Margaret (with the help of her local MP, Lady Jaeger) obtained her flat in Winter Garden House, Macklin Street. The flats had just been built and Margaret has lived there since 1972.
Reminiscing about the past, Margaret has a remarkable memory. She also remembers the women shelling peas in Covent Garden market, the tall baskets carried on porters' heads, the 'real' Covent Garden flower sellers and the Kingsway tram, drawn by horses.
When approaching her 90th birthday, Margaret decided to do something about achieving her life-long ambition to own a piano. Without telling anyone, she withdrew more than £1,000 in cash from her savings, stuffed it in a bag, and made her way to a piano shop in Tottenham Court Road - and made a salesman's day! "How would you like to pay, madam?" - "Cash, please". The piano was duly delivered to Winter Garden House and now takes pride of place in her sitting room. Margaret still plays occasionally, recalling all the words to the old music hall songs.
In Winter Garden House, Margaret has some very good friends and neighbours who look after her, thus enabling her to stay in her flat and remain independent. She is also surrounded by many other friends, who call in for a chat and a cup of tea and the latest news. Quite a few of the flats in the block still house the original tenants who moved in in the early 70's - some are coming up for 90.
Margaret has been given a big birthday party every year since the 1980s, but this year - her 100th - was very special. Many old times were recalled, the flat was filled with flowers (including a bouquet from the Mayor and Mayoress of Camden) and presents - everyone enjoyed a wonderful celebration.
Most likely to say: "Won't you have another cup of tea, dear?".
Least likely to say: "I am unhappy in this place".
Fondest memory: her dear friend Floss, who died recently. Margaret had a very nice soprano voice and Floss would accompany her on the piano. She recalls the days when they "toured" all sorts of venues in central London, giving musical turns at concerts for "worthy causes".
Most negative opinion: "We never had all this traffic! Good job the people at Camden Council put in that zebra crossing outside our block - it's exactly one year ago today".
Funniest "recent" story: feeling tired when out on one of her last independent walks, Margaret asked two Policemen for a lift home in their patrol car; they were delighted to oblige and she arrived home in style ("there used to be lots of Policemen about - now you hardly ever see one").
Disappointing aspect of her 100th birthday: the Queen's letter of congratulations - it had been presumed that it would be signed by the Queen, personally ("It was not even a proper letter").
Most annoying thing of modern life: "I had to pay more than £300 in VAT on the piano!"
Pleasure of modern-day living: the colour TV - Margaret loves to watch all the films on animals and birds and never misses 'the News'.
Looking forward to: being taken out in her newly acquired wheelchair as soon as the weather is fine - "to catch up on what is happening".
Please click here to send Margaret a birthday message! (we will print your messages out & pass them on to her)
© Covent Garden Community Association, March 1999
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