Jessie battles on to keep on sewing

A stitch in time saves nine for a 92-year-old Black Country grandmother who has beaten all the odds to still attend her beloved sewing class each and every week.

Despite being partially-sighted, suffering a broken hip and twice breaking her right wrist, Jessie Tranter attends the class every Friday at Frank F Harrison School in Walsall.

The grandmother-of-10 — who has developed her skills over the last 10 years — has now been nominated for an achievement award for her determination and appetite for learning.

She is among more than 90 residents of all age groups who are being feted at the annual Walsall Lifelong Learning Awards tonight.

Mrs Tranter, of Mattersley Court, Mossley, Bloxwich, has kept up attendance at the sewing club run by Frank F Harrison Community Association, based in Beechdale, despite her injuries and moving into a care home.

In the 10 years the widow has been at the club, she has improved her sewing by learning to make and embroider cushion covers, clothing and other crafts.

"I am very happy about being nominated. It's nice of the association to do this for me. I like being happy and I like company and telling jokes," she said.

"I never did much sewing until I joined the lunch club about 10 years ago. I never even used to sew a button before then. But I really enjoy going to my class on a Friday because we have a laugh.

"I don't like knitting, but I crochet as well. I've made a blanket for my bed. Most of the things I make I give to my family.

"I can't see out of one eye, but I just get on with life."

Mrs Tranter, formerly of Vicarage Terrace, Pleck, was born in Moxley to a family of nine children. She and late husband Si lived in Anson Road, Bentley, where they raised their three children — Ron, now 65, Margaret 64, and John, 60, who lives in the US. She has 15 great-grandchildren.

Mrs Tranter is looking forward to meeting TV's Deadly 60 presenter Steve Blackshall who will be special guest at tonight's awards at Banks's Stadium to honour achievements of lifelong learners.

Mrs Tranter and a three-year-old girl who helped her mother during an asthma attack are among the nominees.