Dora, 102, remembers delivering Sheffield's first tins of crisps

Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyDora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
A GRANDMOTHER who was born in a Sheffield chip shop and delivered the city's first crisps to pubs has celebrated her 102nd birthday.

Dora Rixham celebrated the milestone with friends and family at Beechy Knoll care home in Richmond.

Born and raised in Tom Green’s fish and chip shop on Brightmore Street, near Weston Park, which was named after her father, Mrs Rixham fondly remembered “plenty of fish and chips” as a child.

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She said her father was the first person in Sheffield to sell potato crisps – and as a girl she would deliver tins of them to pubs across the city.

Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyDora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Mrs Rixham, who has one brother, George, said: “We had plenty of fish and chips as children and we absolutely loved it.

“My father was the first man to sell crisps in Sheffield too. When I was about 12-years old, I would walk round all the pubs selling tins of crisps.

“I was well known at the time.”

Mrs Rixham married husband John aged 24 in St George’s Church, near Jessop’s Hospital, and they had two sons.

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Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyDora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Dora Rixham, 102 of Sheffield. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

She had many jobs in her life, including at Tennants Brewery and in a flower shop.

But when work was done, she and John, who died aged 81, loved nothing more than dancing to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Mrs Rixham, who is still on her feet and as feisty as ever, still enjoys her music and remains very partial to a spot of dancing.

She said: “We didn’t have much money, but we were always happy. We were never well off, but we had enough.”

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On the secret to a long life, Mrs Rixham said: “Never be a worrier. Just do what I’ve always done – carry on regardless.”

And offering a pearl of wisdom for males, she said: “I don’t care what they say, cuddle your girl three time a day.”

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