UK woman celebrates her 108th BIRTHDAY with friends and family
London's oldest lady described Covid as "nothing compared to World War One" as she celebrated her 108th birthday with four generations of loved ones.Former nurse Betty Spear, born in Ireland in 1913, said the secret to her long life was: "Hard work and a tipple of whisky once a week."And Betty, who was still doing the Irish jig aged 103, added: "Keeping active and drinking a good strong cup of tea...not the watery stuff!"She wasn't able to see her grandchildren or great grandchildren last year due to Covid restrictions.But her entire family along with many friends - and even the local Mayor - turned up to wish her a very happy 108th birthday at St Judes Nursing Home in Sutton, south London.Mrs Spear, whose real name is Sarah, moved to London aged just 18 to become a nurse and went on to practice in the south London suburb of Carshalton.There she met and married George Spear in 1947 before giving birth to their "beautiful daughter" Anne.Betty outlived her husband and daughter who both suffered from heart disease.Asked if Covid-19 was the worst event of the past 100 years, Mrs Spear said: "Oh no, not really."The First World War was the worst thing, Covid is nothing in comparison."I came over from Ireland to become a nurse when I was just a teenager."I don't think the NHS have coped very well during Covid."People are not so friendly any more."Betty's granddaughter Jane Welch, 50, said: "You couldn't stop her if you tried, bless her."She loved to do the Irish jig, all the way up until she was about 103."She's been through a lot, you know, because she lost her daughter."She stopped working at 90 and then quit smoking when her daughter - my mum, passed."Two years later she fell down a flight of stairs from top to bottom and broke her hip - she's a tough nut."She's been through the wars and always comes out fighting - and I'm very proud to have her as my grandmother."Among the 25 cards Mrs Spear received was a letter from the Queen wishing her a happy 108th birthday.Betty's son in-law Ken Bridgeman, 75, a former sales engineer, said: "She's been here at St Judes for two years, but before that she was living in a flat in Sutton."And she was still cooking and taking care of herself until about four years ago."Generally she did it all herself, although sometimes friends would help out."It's fantastic - I was lucky to be here last year on my own, but it's fantastic."She's obviously deteriorated since then, but has the will to survive."He secret is having a little drop of Scottish whisky every now and then."Half a dozen doves were released to mark the occasion in front of Mrs Spear's fellow residents.A cake with candles spelling 108 was brought to the sound of her favourite tunes, played by a live entertainer.Betty's grandson Paul Bridgeman added: "I'm very proud today."I'm excited but also amazed - when she reached 100 she still wanted to live her life with a smile."There's a league table online of the oldest people in Britain and I think she's now moved up to 57th or something."For me, she taught me the value of hard work and being kind to people, and having a bit of fun along the way."St Judes Nursing home is one of the few homes in the region to remain Covid-free throughout the pandemic.Betty's great granddaughter Louise, 19, a psychology student at Sussex University, said: "It's just so weird how she's like this old."But it's really cool and it's so lucky that she can be here this year."I think if I'm still alive in 108 years the world will be full of technology like flying cars."I admire how she's made it to this age and she's still so gracious."
London's oldest lady described Covid as "nothing compared to World War One" as she celebrated her 108th birthday with four generations of loved ones.Former nurse Betty Spear, born in Ireland in 1913, said the secret to her long life was: "Hard work and a tipple of whisky once a week."And Betty, who was still doing the Irish jig aged 103, added: "Keeping active and drinking a good strong cup of tea...not the watery stuff!"She wasn't able to see her grandchildren or great grandchildren last year due to Covid restrictions.But her entire family along with many friends - and even the local Mayor - turned up to wish her a very happy 108th birthday at St Judes Nursing Home in Sutton, south London.Mrs Spear, whose real name is Sarah, moved to London aged just 18 to become a nurse and went on to practice in the south London suburb of Carshalton.There she met and married George Spear in 1947 before giving birth to their "beautiful daughter" Anne.Betty outlived her husband and daughter who both suffered from heart disease.Asked if Covid-19 was the worst event of the past 100 years, Mrs Spear said: "Oh no, not really."The First World War was the worst thing, Covid is nothing in comparison."I came over from Ireland to become a nurse when I was just a teenager."I don't think the NHS have coped very well during Covid."People are not so friendly any more."Betty's granddaughter Jane Welch, 50, said: "You couldn't stop her if you tried, bless her."She loved to do the Irish jig, all the way up until she was about 103."She's been through a lot, you know, because she lost her daughter."She stopped working at 90 and then quit smoking when her daughter - my mum, passed."Two years later she fell down a flight of stairs from top to bottom and broke her hip - she's a tough nut."She's been through the wars and always comes out fighting - and I'm very proud to have her as my grandmother."Among the 25 cards Mrs Spear received was a letter from the Queen wishing her a happy 108th birthday.Betty's son in-law Ken Bridgeman, 75, a former sales engineer, said: "She's been here at St Judes for two years, but before that she was living in a flat in Sutton."And she was still cooking and taking care of herself until about four years ago."Generally she did it all herself, although sometimes friends would help out."It's fantastic - I was lucky to be here last year on my own, but it's fantastic."She's obviously deteriorated since then, but has the will to survive."He secret is having a little drop of Scottish whisky every now and then."Half a dozen doves were released to mark the occasion in front of Mrs Spear's fellow residents.A cake with candles spelling 108 was brought to the sound of her favourite tunes, played by a live entertainer.Betty's grandson Paul Bridgeman added: "I'm very proud today."I'm excited but also amazed - when she reached 100 she still wanted to live her life with a smile."There's a league table online of the oldest people in Britain and I think she's now moved up to 57th or something."For me, she taught me the value of hard work and being kind to people, and having a bit of fun along the way."St Judes Nursing home is one of the few homes in the region to remain Covid-free throughout the pandemic.Betty's great granddaughter Louise, 19, a psychology student at Sussex University, said: "It's just so weird how she's like this old."But it's really cool and it's so lucky that she can be here this year."I think if I'm still alive in 108 years the world will be full of technology like flying cars."I admire how she's made it to this age and she's still so gracious."
