Dorothy marks 100-year milestone (From Messenger Newspapers)

The former Dunham Massey resident celebrates her 100th birthday

11:00am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in News

ONE of Dunham Massey’s unsung heroes celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

Dorothy Edith Millington has had a lifelong association with the park, having been born there on July 26 1912.

Her parents, Piers and Edith Davenport, had lived inside the park walls for years, with Piers working as a chauffeur for Lord Stamford.

Before leaving school at 14, Dorothy had attended Stamford Park School, walking the three miles from her home in Dunham Park every day.

After leaving school, she took up an apprenticeship as a court dressmaker, where she became a skilled seamstress, often fitting dresses for the wives and daughters of cotton mill owners who lived in Altrincham.

In 1945, Dorothy married school teacher Norman Millington and, after a short while living in his hometown in Hawarden, North Wales, moved into the cottage next door to her parents in Dunham Park.

Dorothy and Norman spent countless holidays either golfing in St Andrews, Scotland or driving along the south coast from Lands End to Hastings.

Putting her seamstress skills to good use, Dorothy began making and repairing clothes for the Countess of Stamford, Lady Jane and Lord Stamford, who became a good friend.

In the late 1970s, shortly after the site was bequeathed to the National Trust, Dorothy began working in the ticket office at Dunham Massey.

In the 20 years she worked there, Dorothy spent time as a steward, a gardener and a conservation worker, helping to preserve the Hall’s precious textiles in the winter months.

Dunham Massey’s general manager, Stephen Adams, said: “Dorothy and her three sisters, like their father before them, were great servants of Dunham massey in various roles as staff or volunteers.

“Dorothy herself lived for over ninety years within the park walls and as a colleague, friend, and neighbour, she is sadly missed, but everyone at Dunham congratulates her on this wonderful achievement.”

Dorothy, who now lives in Flixton Manor Care Home, said the secret to her longevity is eating good food and always having a traditional Sunday lunch!