IDENTICAL twins from Lapford have celebrated their 90th birthdays but sadly due to coronavirus restrictions were unable to meet up.

Kathleen, always known as Grace, and her twin Josephine, were born on February 3, 1931 at home in Winkleigh.

They were born just five minutes apart, Josephine being first, and both weighing 5lbs.

Their parents Ada and Frederick Bidgway were delighted to have two beautiful and identical sisters for their son, Bernard, who was two years old. Neither knew they were expecting twins as there were no scans in those days.

Sadly their father died when they were in their early teens, and their brother Bernard is also deceased. They both went to Winkleigh School.

Josephine was married at All Saint’s Church, Winkleigh on November 29, 1952, to Michael Bradford, of Lapford.

Alan Down was the Best Man and young Phillip Bolt was their Page Boy.

After they were married they then travelled to Bournemouth for their honeymoon.

Josephine was a housewife and also a Supervisor on the Deli counter at Gateway in Crediton (now Morrisons).

The couple were big followers of Lapford AFC and Exeter City and loved to travel for holidays, especially to Cornwall.

Michael is now deceased, but they had one son Graham, two grandsons, David and Scott, and a great grandaughter Elizabeth, who lives in Exeter. Josephine still lives in Highfield, Lapford.

Grace was married in Bideford Registry Office on February 18, 1950, to George Bolt and they lived in Winkleigh until they moved to Lapford in 1995.

The couple were delighted to receive a congratulations card from The Queen on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in February 2010. George is now deceased.

Grace was also a housewife, proudly bringing up five children, Phillip (deceased), Gillian, Andrew, Jonathan, who is now his mother’s carer, and Elizabeth (Lizzie).

Grace was always a supporter of both Exeter City and especially Winkleigh AFC, as George was their manager for a number of years.

Every week she would wash their football kit, hanging it on her line in the correct numbers. She was really dedicated to the team.

Grace has 13 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

"The twins have always had a very special bond,” said Lizzie, adding that they enjoyed the Over 60s bus trips together, and both love jigsaws, bingo, flowers and wildlife.

She said that they are avid watchers of the soaps on TV, enjoying life to the full as much as possible, and not forgetting football!

The twins hope that when the pandemic is over, they can meet again, together with their families as well.

Margaret Tucker