A North Shields resident was overjoyed to receive her 100th birthday card from King Charles today, as she celebrated alongside her family, friends and residents at Preston Court.
Elizabeth 'Betty' Wood has had an incredibly interesting life, living through four monarchs, a World War and twenty Prime Ministers - and she still lives independently in a retirement housing complex.
The most important thing to Betty is her family however, and she has been very well supported by them when they have needed to be there for her. Betty has spoken about the best parts of the incredible life she has had and how she is feeling about turning 100.
"I have an amazing family and I had a very happy marriage. We would go on amazing holidays and I was still travelling to different countries well into my eighties.
"I come from a mining background, as my father worked in Backworth Colliery. I had a very pleasant upbringing and things became even better the more my family grew. I get amazing support from my daughter Helen and her husband and I love my grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much.
"I was so excited to get my card from King Charles. We got one of the special frames from the palace and it looks amazing. It's great to be able to be in the first group of people to receive one of these from the new king.
"I definitely don't feel like I'm 100, I'm still fit and well and I can move around as well. I feel like I can keep going for a while yet so I'm hoping to be around for quite a bit longer", she said.
Betty's daughter Helen shared one particular anecdote about one of her mother's many holidays with her late husband, which had a very happy outcome.
"When Betty was 88 she went to Malta with her husband and they found a big bag of money when out on a walk. They decided to take it to the police station and the officer told them it was drug money. Later on, when they were back home, they were sent £2,000, which they then used to go on another holiday", she said.
It is stories like this that sum up how young Betty is at heart, and Helen has also given her thoughts on the milestone that her mother has reached and has talked about the celebrations that will be taking place at Preston Court.
"I am so happy that my mother has been able to celebrate her 100th birthday and everyone was so excited to see her. My daughter Catherine has also just gotten engaged so it has been an even better day.
"We have had a party at the sheltered accommodation at Preston Court and family, friends and residents were all here to celebrate. Betty is one of the longest serving residents here, so they were even more keen to make it such an amazing day for her.
"Yesterday, Betty went to get her nails done and everyone at the salon was singing happy birthday and they gave her a cake which she loved. Mind you, she got her nails done in neon pink, so that shows you just how young she feels."
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