100th birthday celebrations for Sunderland woman who raised her family in Fulwell fire station

She was born Alice Hurrell in Sunderland in 1920. David Lloyd George was Prime Minister and the country was recovering from World War One.

Her parents were John and Alice Hurrell. When the younger Alice was a child the family lived in Franklin Street in Millfield.

John helped build the Sunderland Empire. In 1907, shortly before the venue opened, he fell into the stalls while helping secure the statue of Terpsichore to the theatre’s roof.

In 1942 Alice married Stan Ord, a fireman, but also a joiner who served in Burma with the RAF during World War Two.

The couple lived in Drayton Road, Fulwell. Between 1943 and 1949 they had five children: Valerie, twins Barry and Keith, Carol and Jeff.

Sadly Keith died aged just a few months. Barry passed away in 2008, Jeff in 2016 after following his father into the fire service; eventually becoming a senior officer.

Shortly before war ended in 1945, Stan was serving as a fireman and the couple were asked to vacate their home but weren’t happy with what they were offered instead.

Future Mayor of Sunderland Joe Hoy helped the Ords move to the new fire station on Station Road, which served as a billet for firefighters and their families. It was here that Alice became renowned for her hospitality. Stan passed away in 1987.

Alice’s daughter, Carol Rodgers, said: “My friends all say ‘We used to love coming to your house. Your mam used to really look after us.’ The house was always open door. We had a great childhood.

“We have lots of wonderful memories of living at the fire station and it’s a shame they’re pulling it down.”

Unfortunately, coronavirus has made a 100th birthday party impossible.

Carol added: “When she was 95 we had a big party. But that isn’t possible at the moment. So we’re going to visit her at different times during the day so that someone is there all the time. We’ve also asked for a card from the Queen.”

Alice, who has grandchildren and great-grandchildren, still loves socialising and traditional jazz, particularly Acker Bilk.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.