A WINSFORD charity celebrated its 110th anniversary with a congratulations letter from the Queen.

St. Chad’s Mother’s Union is an International Christian Charity which supports families in the area and worldwide.

It celebrated the special anniversary with a service on Wednesday, August 12, which included handing out awards to the serving members of the community group.

Barbara Percival, a member of the union for 42 years sent the letter to the Queen after her son’s encouragement, when he asked her what she was doing with her week.

She said: “I never dreamed of doing it. I only wrote a little letter, and as excited as I was, I did not say anything to the church in case nothing came of it.

“110 years is an achievement, it’s never had a break, I remember my mother being in the Mother’s Union, and my grandmother was too.”

She said the Mother’s Union has not changed much over the 110 years, and that it has continued its services in Cheshire, supporting local community projects, and raising funds for the community.

Barbara sent her letter to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday,August 11, the day before the special service which was led by Reverend Chris Humphries.

In the letter she mentioned some of the members who are over 80 and still a vital part to the group, as Barbara knew they would be ‘thrilled to bits’ if the Queen sent a card or a letter.

She added: “On the Wednesday we had the service, and I could not believe it on the Friday I saw this long envelope in the post, I thought “Oh my goodness” when I saw the ER stamp and logo.”

Barbara was surprised at the quick reply from the Queen who said in the letter she was, ‘pleased to her about your milestone’ and gave them ‘best wishes at this special time’. The letter also revealed that the Queen was a patron of the Union.

The treasurer read out the letter in church on the following Sunday, and it will now be pride and place of the charity as it has now been framed by Barbara.