Wythenshawe woman celebrates 100th birthday and credits her long life to supporting Manchester City
A 100th birthday party was held last week for a Wythenshawe resident who credits supporting Manchester City as being one of the secrets to living a long life.
The surprise celebration, which took place at the Dandelion Community Centre in Wythenshawe (part of St Marks United Reformed Church), saw friends and family arriving from as far afield as Canada to celebrate with the popular local centenarian, and even the King and Queen took time out from the Coronation to send a personal letter of congratulations.
Elizabeth Forbes, who and has seen five Monarch’s and 20 different Prime Ministers over her long life, has lived in the same house on Rottingdene Drive in Wythenshawe for the last 72 years.
Elizabeth said: “We first moved to Wythenshawe after the war when my husband David was demobbed from the Royal Navy, and I remember our first rent was £1, 2 shillings and sixpence!
“We loved our new house right from the start. It was a very modern property, with central heating and a garden front and back, and it was so much more comfortable than the old terraces in Beswick, where I was born.
“Wythenshawe was still quite new back then and they were still building parts of it and putting in new roads, and the areas around it were still quite rural.
“Back then there weren’t as many shops but in those days all the local shops all used to deliver to your door, and it’s amazing to see how much the airport has grown over the years. Our house has always been a happy home and Wythenshawe was a great place to raise our children.”
Elizabeth has been a Manchester City supporter all her life and the club gave her a shirt signed by the senior players as a birthday present. When asked what was the secret of a long life she said: “Stay as independent as you can, don’t drink or smoke, and support Manchester City!”
Elizabeth is a regular at St Marks Church and her friend, local author and fellow member of the church, Pauline Jones said: “Elizabeth is such a wonderful lady. She’s one of those people you love to love, and she’s a truly valued member of both the church and the local community.
“She loves living in Wythenshawe and there’s lots of neighbours and family looking out for her here. And she loves her house, which she’s kept spotless for all these years!”
When Elizabeth first moved into her home the property was owned by Manchester City Council, and it’s now managed by Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG). Senior figures from WCHG attended the celebration to wish her well and to present her with a bouquet of flowers.
Paul Seymour, WCHG Executive Director of Customers and Communities, said: “It’s people like Elizabeth who make Wythenshawe such a special place to live and work, and it really was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to meet her and help celebrate her special day.”
