103-year-old’s birthday banter is on fire

Crews from Stanmore fire station had a surprise in store for Harrow resident, Diana Gould, when they turned up in a fire engine to wish her a happy 103rd birthday. Crew manager Stavros Marangos said they had been inspired by Diana’s ‘positive attitude to life’ after visiting her flat at Radbourne Court, on Draycott Avenue, last month to carry out a routine home fire safety visit. Stavros said: “She is a remarkable lady, very independent, extremely youthful in her looks and she stole our hearts with her amazing attitude and her banter. “Her positive, fun, happy outlook on life really touched us and we wanted to go out of our way to do something a little bit extra for her, so on her birthday a crew from Stanmore Green Watch took a fire engine to her home to surprise her with a card, a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates. “She was delighted to see us and she captivated me and my colleagues all over again.” Diana, who was born on May 23, 1912, has lived through two world wars and played badminton to keep fit until well into her 80s. She was also a London 2012 Olympics Torch bearer. Her late husband, Ellwood served in the Auxiliary Fire Service during World War Two and was stationed at Stoke Newington. Picture courtesy of Tony Hardiman