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Britain's oldest cleaner, 96, returns to work at The Mall Maidstone after fall

By: Luke May

Published: 13:44, 06 February 2020

Updated: 16:47, 06 February 2020

One of the country's most adored cleaners has returned to work.

Marjorie Rose, 96, can hardly take a step in The Mall, Maidstone, without someone recognising her.

Marjorie Rose back at work at The Mall Shopping Centre in Maidstone on Thursday. Picture: Chris Davey
Marjorie Rose back at work at The Mall Shopping Centre in Maidstone on Thursday. Picture: Chris Davey
Marjorie Rose back at work at The Mall Shopping Centre in Maidstone on Thursday. Picture: Chris Davey
Marjorie Rose back at work at The Mall Shopping Centre in Maidstone on Thursday. Picture: Chris Davey

In December she tripped and fell on her way into work, putting her out of work for the past two months.

The great grandmother returned to The Mall today, armed with her duster and ready to work.

Speaking to KentOnline she said: "It's been lovely, everybody's been coming up to me saying it's nice to see me back.

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"I've got my duster with me, I'm still working well. There's almost too many people to say hello to, I try holding my head down but they see me coming!"

Marj works at the Maidstone shopping centre five days a week, but it wasn't that long ago she was working a seven day week.

Friends at The Mall bought Marjorie a balloon when she turned 96 last year
Marjorie Rose, 96, fell and broke her hip in Mill Street, Maidstone
Marj Rose is still working at The Mall five days a week, despite being in her 90s. Picture By: John Westhrop

Her grandson David Gregory said: "She used to get up at 4am and make sandwiches then head to her cleaning job. She still walks to work every day.

"When I was 16 she beat me at 100 metres, she must have been in her 70s then and I was playing football three times a week."

Last year Marj, who some shoppers prefer to call nan, had a cataracts operation and returned to work after a week as she couldn't bear to be away.

Mr Gregory, from Strood, said: "So many people know her around the town, she loves it there and it keeps her active.

"You'd think she'd be knackered but she isn't, it's amazing and I think people need to know about her."

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Marj has worked at the shopping centre for more than 30 years and is known for her sense of humour as she does her rounds.

She has 21 great grandchildren.

When the Kent Messenger asked Marj the secret to her long life and fitness in 2017, she said: "I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. I advise other people not to drink."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.

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