NOSTALGIA: Pontypool's oldest resident Martha Ann Baker

She was born in Newport in 1863, the daughter of Pontypool publican and master baker, Edwin Osborne.

In the early 1880s Martha Osborne married John H Baker, who came to Pontypool from Barnstaple and in the early years of the twentieth century they took over the Osborne Restaurant in Jubilee Buildings in Crane Street, Pontypool.

Although John died suddenly in his early 50s in 1908, Martha, later joined by each of her six daughters (Eve, Daisy, May, Ethel, Dorothy and Kate), successfully ran the business and turned it into a very popular tearoom and cake shop which ran for over 30 years.

Martha was not only a successful local businesswoman, but served the town on several committees and the Pontypool Board of Guardians (forerunner to the Community Council).

This photograph (above) was taken in 1943 for her 80th birthday, and several years later Martha celebrated her 90th birthday with a party at the (first) Pontypool Educational Settlement in Trosnant with 90 invited guests from her family, friends and colleagues.

Martha Baker at her 90th birthday party in 1954 with her sister and brother (front) and six daughters (behind). Picture: Torfaen Museum.

Martha’s brother Tom Osborne was also well-known in the community - being accountant for the Gas and Water Company in Pontypool for many years as well as a keen golfer, cyclist and committee member of Pontypool RFC. He is also the grandfather of two of Torfaen Museum’s volunteer and Trustee Members.

Nostalgia is provided by Torfaen Museum.

The museum has now reopened and is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and 1pm to 4pm on weekends.