VIDEO: 100-year-old birthday girl on pandemic: "I've never seen anything like it"

IVY Austin has seen a lot in her lifetime — but never expected to have to bring her 100th birthday celebrations forward due to a pandemic. 
Ivy  with friends and familyIvy  with friends and family
Ivy with friends and family

“I never thought I would see anything like this in all my 100 years — I’ve never known anything like it,” said Ivy, of Bramley. 

But, as she blew out the candles on her cake she had a rousing message for the people of Rotherham, declaring: “I hope you all live to be 100.”

 

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Ivy turned 100 today (Thursday) but her friends were forced to bring her surprise celebrations forward by a day due to the growing coronavirus situation.

“I remember ration books in the war and only being allowed a little bit of this and that,” she said.

Her childhood friend Elsie Gathercol (87) helped to organise the party at her home yesterday, bringing together 15 of her friends. 

Ivy, who still walks to bingo every week, said it was an “honour” to celebrate with them and despite the ongoing pandemic everyone was still in good spirits.

“I’ve had lots of cards and one off the Queen, I even got a present off the insurance — I didn’t know they did that!” she said.

“I don’t feel 100.”

The mother of three to Marjorie (73), Bernie (71) and Alan (63) was born and raised in Catcliffe and went on to marry Bernard, who died 35 years ago. 

Her party was twinged with a bit of sadness as she revealed it would have been Bernard’s birthday on Wednesday.

“He was a lovely husband,” said the grandmother of five.

“I’ve got a lovely family — I couldn't wish for anything more,” she added.

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