Whitley Bay resident Doris Freeman recently celebrated her 100th birthday, celebrating her remarkable milestone with a special party at Bygate Court, the McCarthy Stone Retirement Living community in Whitley Bay where Doris lives.
Commenting on how it feels to reach this milestone, Doris said:
“I never expected to make it – no-one else in my family ever did!”
Born on 4th March 1925, Doris grew up in Whitley Bay, starting work at 16, before moving to live and work in Southport.
Doris fondly recalls working as a school secretary at Meols Cop High School, saying:
“That was a lovely job, and I so enjoyed living in Southport during this time – the fifties and sixties were my favourite era.”
Despite enjoying life in Southport, Doris also travelled widely, including taking the long trip to Adelaide, Australia, after the second world war as part of the Australian Government’s ‘ten-pound pom’ scheme. Doris quickly became a valued member of the Australian Women’s Institute and loved her time there.
Doris returned to the UK in the 1970’s and settled in Whitley Bay. She is a longstanding member of the Women’s Institute and the Trefoil Guild, an organisation for women who had been involved in the Girl Guiding and Brownie movement in their childhood. As other Brownie leaders – know as Brown Owls – were called up during the second world war, Doris stepped up in their absence to become a Brown Owl aged 18, and today she still meets up with members of the Trefoil Guild, including for her 100th birthday celebrations.
These days, Doris enjoys a relaxed life surrounded by the friends and neighbours she has met over her 12 years living at Bygate Court, which has given her “feelings of security and happiness, as well as fish and chip Fridays and Thursday coffee mornings!” Doris also loves watching sports, and as a former singer herself, she watches Andre Rieu on TV but is “always in bed by 11pm and up at 8am.”
Doris celebrated her milestone in the Bygate Court communal lounge with over 50 friends, fizz, afternoon tea and, of course, plenty of cake! The party was a heartwarming event, filled with laughter and sharing memories, a testament to the strong sense of community and friendship that defines life at Bygate Court.
“We are thrilled to have helped Doris celebrate her 100th birthday,” said Deryn Johnston, House Manager at Bygate Court.
“Having lived at Bygate Court since it was built, she is a much-loved member of our community, and her apartment currently looks like a florist! We are all honoured to be part of her special day and enjoyed the surprise visit from Tynemouth Fire Station, as Doris always wanted to be thrown over a fireman’s shoulder! The whole Bygate community loved celebrating her remarkable journey.”
As Doris thinks back on her long life, she shares some pearls of wisdom:
The most important invention she has seen in her lifetime? “The TV and my iPad.”
The secret to reaching 100? “Being sociable and having a great sense of humour.”
And the advice she would have for young people? “Just keep laughing!”
For more information about Bygate Court and its vibrant community, please visit https://www.mccarthyandstoneresales.co.uk/
