A former dance teacher who has lived in Bristol almost all of her life celebrates her 100th birthday on Wednesday (August 17).
Bristol-born Frances Chandler still cares for her husband, Bernard, at 100 years old at their home in Stockwood. Her daughter, Patsy McDougall, 70, recounted her mother’s life from stories her mother has told her over the years.
She was born (nee Weever) in the Bristol Royal Infirmary on August 17, 1922, and grew up in Barton Hill. She lost her mother when she was around 13, and lived with her dad and two brothers.
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She got her first job working for E. S. & A. Robinson in the paper bag factory division, which had operations in Fishponds and Bedminster. Frances then joined the army at the military base in Longmoor, Hampshire, when she was 21 where she worked as a ‘batwoman’ in the officers’ quarters.
A batman or woman a military term - that predates the fictional superhero - who would act as a servant for a commissioned officer, typically performing ‘runner’ duties like maintaining uniform or driving officers around.
“When she was in Longmoor, she wanted to be a driver but she was half an inch too short so she wasn’t allowed to learn to drive in the army, so she never ever drove after that,” Patsy said.
She met London-born Bernard Chandler, now 95, at a dance in St Gerard’s, Knowle, as they both had a great love of dancing. They married in 1948 when they were 26 and 21 years old at a registrar’s office with just her father and his brother present.
After they got married, Frances worked as a home help and then went to Hales Cakes in Clevedon, a big employer for the area at the time. But the couple’s real passion was for dancing.
“They were both dance teachers. They both used to have their own dance classes in the community with different styles,” Patsy remembered. “They used to teach modern sequence dancing right up until my mum was 90. That’s been the love of their life is dancing and that’s how they met.”
Jade and Chantelle Chandler added that they both remembered being mesmerised by their nan's dancing and sneakily trying on her sparkly dance shoes when growing up.
They had five children, twins Christine and Susan, 72, Patsy, 70, Steven, 65, and Michael, 62. Patsy and her sisters live in Stockwood while her brothers at in Brislington and Whitchurch. Frances and Bernard have ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Patsy said: “We just love Bristol, we’ve been here all our lives. My dad comes from Fulham and he loves talking about his Fulham days. We’ve been here all our lives and we’re settled.”
At 100, Frances still looks after her husband and does all the cooking and cleaning with some assistance from Patsy and her siblings. “I go round every day but when I’m not there she still carries on.” They will celebrate their anniversary marking 74 years together on September 11.
“She’s very kind and caring, she would always use to say ‘oh never mind it will always come out in the wash’. She always tries to make you feel better,” Patsy added.
"Wishing our wonderful Mum a very happy 100th Birthday & congratulations to you & our Dad on your forthcoming 74th Wedding Anniversary. Lots of love from all the family xx"
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