Doris James

A FORMER school worker who lived most of her life in Islington has celebrated her 102nd birthday in style by taking a tour around all the places that shaped her.

Doris James was born on Sebastian Street in Clerkenwell and later spent more than 50 years living in Highbury, before eventually leaving the borough to move into Woodland Grove care home, Essex. last year.

Doris was treated to a celebratory pub lunch with her son Geoff, carer Paul Kurton and hairdresser Laura Woodroof

Returning to her birthplace, Ms James was overcome with emotion, saying: “I never thought I’d get to go back to where I was born. It’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.”

Other highlights of the minibus ride through all her old haunts included her former flat in Highbury New Park, St Augustine’s Church where her son was christened, and Highbury County Grammar School, now part of City of London Academy, where she worked until she retired in the late 1980s.

Doris as a young women

Accompanied by her son Geoff, Ms James relaxed in Northampton Square, outside City University and shared memories of north London with students.

The trip had been organised by the care home’s resident hairdresser, Laura Woodroof, who had spent hours listening to Ms James’ stories each week while she cut her hair.

Doris outside the church where her son was christened

She said: “Organising this is a bit outside what I normally do but I love Doris, and I loved seeing what this meant to her. I think I’ve heard more of Doris’s stories than anyone at [her care home] Woodland Grove and I knew how special this would be for her.”

Ms James had returned once previously to Highbury when staff organised a VIP trip to Arsenal’s first round Champions League semi-final game at the Emirates Stadium.

Soaking up the atmosphere at the Emirates stadium

She recalled: “It was amazing, I had a wonderful time! I’d seen games at the old Highbury Stadium, but I’ve never been in this new one and it moved me to tears. The club treated me like royalty, I so wish my family could have seen me!”

Her son said he was grateful to the trip’s organisers.

Geoff added: “It really was the most wonderful thing that they did for Mum. We were both very moved by it all and I can’t thank them enough.”