Centenarians make up just 0.03 percent of the total population in England and Wales – and three of them are living in a Scunthorpe care home.
Thelma Crowe, who celebrated her 103rd birthday last week, Tom Cowie, 101, and Betty Standish, 100, are all residents of the Carisbrooke Manor Care Home on Burringham Road, Scunthorpe.
The three centenarians have shared their stories with Scunthorpe Live, as well as their secrets to a long and happy life.
Thelma Crowe, 103
Born in Brigg on September 30, 1921, Thelma was the eldest of seven children. In her younger years, she helped to maintain the family home and cared for her younger siblings and her mother Janet, who suffered with ill health. Her “lovely” father Horace worked for British Steel, but died young.
She said: “I was the eldest so I had a lot to do in the family home. If I didn’t, I would get a clip round the ear-hole. I was a good girl to avoid getting the clip.”
Thelma went on to marry Ralph and the couple welcomed one son, Bryan.
When asked what her secret is to living a long life, Thelma said: “Being busy, finding something to do every day and being out in the fresh air as much as possible. The odd glass of Bailey’s doesn’t hurt either.”
(Image: Donna Clifford/Grimsby Live)
Tom Cowie, 101
Tom was born in the village of Dowes Lane in County Durham on August 22, 1923. His first job was as a coal miner in the pits, where he worked until they closed for the final time. He then moved to North Yorkshire.
In 1947, he married his late wife Alma. The couple would go on to have five children – four sons and one daughter. Sadly, Tom’s two youngest sons have now passed away.
Tom and Alma enjoyed lots of travel to various locations during their time together.
Tom told Scunthorpe Live: “I’ve never been a big drinker and I’ve never smoked. My secret to a long life is walking in the fresh air.”
(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Betty Standish, 100
Betty was born on May 31, 1924 in Plum Tree Way, Scunthorpe, and celebrated her milestone 100th birthday this year.
During World War II, Betty worked as a Secretary to the Chief of the Fire Service. Post-war, she began her career as a School Secretary.
She married her late husband Charles in 1947, and the couple had four daughters and one son. Betty is now a proud grandma to two grandchildren and a great-grandma to Nancy and Benji.
Betty told Scunthorpe Live that her secret to living a long and happy life is “just to get on with it”.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
