A GREAT grandmother was surprised by relatives on her 80th birthday with a party at the pub where she was born.

Jacqueline Beach, born in 1939, celebrated her milestone birthday at the The Chequers Inn at Crowle, near Worcester – the pub where she was born and which her mother and father ran at the time.

Jacqueline, who goes by Jacquie, was born the youngest of eight to her parents Charles and Elsie Hinds. Her parents took care of catering at The Chequers Inn, in particular by providing food for auctioneers of the many livestock auctions which took place within the grounds.

When Jacquie was four years old, her family moved to Swanpool Walk, in St John’s, Worcester. One of Jacquie’s earliest memories is sitting on apple boxes in the front room drinking soup. She remembers her childhood life as full of apple orchards, animals and a love of the outdoors, which continues today with her garden in Cradley.

Jacquie, who went to the Worcester Girls Grammar School - now RGS Worcester - met her husband, Maurice, on a blind date. Later that day, he took her to The Chequers Inn where he said to her, “I am taking you somewhere you would have never heard of,” despite Jacquie being a frequent customer at the pub.

Talking about Maurice, aged 86, on their first date, Jacquie said: “He was alright – a bit quaint.”

The couple were married in 1961 and they had their first born, Susan in 1962, followed by Angela in 1965. They have two grandchildren, Amy and Clare, and one great grandchild called William.

When asked what the secret is to staying young, Jacquie said: “You have got to enjoy a drink and have a laugh – being cheerful in life is important.”

Speaking about her birthday celebration which took place on April 11, she said: “It was a lovely surprise and lovely to see my family together.”

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