A woman in Salford was surrounded by family to celebrate her landmark 100th birthday celebrations this week.
Trudy Hardman was joined by four generations of her family, on Sunday 15 December, celebrating the landmark occasion Alderwood Residential Care Home in Worsley.
Trudy who was born in Chorlton-on-Medlock, and grew up in Gorton before moving to Swinton 63 years ago.
The 100-year-old woman eventually moved to Worsley 20 years later and has lived in the area ever since.
As her daughter Janis Williams, 64, said: “When she was young she lived on Grafton Street, with all her family living in one room in the house.
“She has so many stories, and it amazing to here about her past. She used to love going to Grafton Street and seeing where she grew up.
“When you hear the stories of her when she was growing up, the living standards, going through the wars, you can’t even imagine what it was like.”
Over the 100 years, she has also been able to grow a massive family, with 28 close family members turning up to celebrate the occasion.
Throughout the day it saw her family eat cake, sing, dance together with help from Dancing with Dementia.
As Janis continued: “The home were brilliant, they were determined to have it and they wanted to do it. They organise it for us.
“Dancing with Dementia provided Tony the singer, who was there for the hour from 2pm, which was absolutely brilliant
“We had all the residents in there for the hour of the singing, and then we had the birthday celebrations with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Trudy was also joined for her birthday by her younger brother, the only surviving sibling which she added “was so lovely.”
The 100-year-old’s celebrations were all shared with a card from King Charles II, but were able to receive a one of a kind birthday wish.
Janis’ granddaughter works at Buckingham Palace and was able to make the occasion even grander, she continued: “My granddaughter had her Christmas staff party last Tuesday, which the King attended.
“She told the King that she was going to her great-grandmother’s birthday on Sunday and that we had already received the card.
“He was so pleased and he even wished his own personal wishes birthday message to her, so that was just amazing.”
The one of a kind birthday message, was the icing on the cake for the celebrations, as Janis added: “It was truly amazing, and it could not have gone any better, it was perfect in every way.
“My Mum seems to be the only person who doesn’t understand why we are all making a fuss on her. But we had an amazing cake and full day together.
“I have never known someone to reach a 100, the home have never had the chance to celebrate a 100th birthday either. It was just amazing.”
To celebrate her family and staff even had t-shirts printed with her on it, marking the occasion the best way possible.
Janis detailed that her mum was getting so many cards for everyone, including many of her own friends, as she added: “I think reaching 100 deserves a card.”
Surrounded by four generations of family, Janis said: “She often says, ‘you know you will see your children grow up, but you never think you will see your grand-children grow up and marry.’ It is just so unbelievable.”
The party celebrations continued from 1pm until around 5pm, with the family embracing the landmark occasion, as Janis added: “It was a lovely day, and we couldn’t have asked for any better company.”
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