Parkstone woman has lived in same house for 82 years

Kind-hearted 82-year-old Evelyn Mary Wareham was born in and has lived at her home on Uppleby Road in Parkstone for her entire life and wants to let residents of the past and present know that she is “still going strong”.

Evelyn told the Daily Echo: “I have no idea how old this place is. Over one hundred years I’d imagine, all I know is I’ve been here my whole life and I wonder whether anyone can beat that.”

The house initially belonged to Evelyn’s grandparents, who were the property’s very first occupants. They then passed it onto Evelyn’s parents and finally down to her.

Despite renovations over the years, some elements of the original build remain such as no central heating in the house – with Evelyn electing to use the old living room fireplace for warmth.

Evelyn was born in the house in 1938 and has remained there ever since.

She said: “I don’t want to move anywhere, I’m very happy here. I can see what goes on, we’ve got the shops on the top and the school down the bottom. I’ve been here to see all of it come about.

“Of course I get a little bit lonely now as I miss my husband. I lost him two years ago. We met when I was 15 and we were together from then.”

Evelyn’s husband, Derek Walter Wareham, was born in Poole and worked on the local Hamworthy Engineering works. The couple had two daughters who were both raised in the house on Uppleby Road.

Evelyn with her late husband, Derek

The mother of two worked in a range of local places, including a sweet factory, various pubs and worked at the Royal Norfolk Hotel as a cleaner.

During her 82-year stint in the area, Evelyn has seen plenty of change. She said: “This house and next door were the first to be built here when it was all a common area. They added more and more and it became a high street.

“We used to have street parties with music, spinning tops, skipping ropes, balls and all sorts. Those were lovely times.”

Her earliest memory at the house is when, at the age of five, her older brother Ernie returned from the Army and presented her with a “huge” chocolate lollipop.

In the time that Evelyn has lived in the house, she has seen:

• A World War
• 16 Prime Ministers
• 12 people walk on the moon
• The invention of the World Wide Web
• Two Olympics held in London

Evelyn said that whilst she can’t move around as easily as she used to, she is looking forward to the future. She said: “After the virus, I’d like to go out again. Maybe a nice gentleman could take me for a cup of tea and a chat."

"You want a blind date, don't you mum," called out Evelyn's daughter Julie.

Evelyn added: “I’ve been here all my life and will stay for the rest of it.”

Have you or someone you know lived at an address in the Bournemouth area for longer than 82 years? Get in touch.