Kingsthorpe's 'greatly loved' Dorothy turns 100 with special birthday party on Zoom

Having lived through a world war and watching Northampton Town get into the first division, it should come as no surprise that Dorothy 'Dolly' embraced the latest technology when she turned 100 on May 9.

Deprived of a vintage tea party celebration at The Pastures Community Centre with family and friends, Dorothy, who is currently isolating in Dorset with her daughter Julie and son-in-law, Keith, took part in a video call on Zoom with 60 people from the UK and Australia instead.

Her granddaughter-in-law, Fiona Adams, said: "Surrounded by decorations, balloons, flowers and cards, including the all-important one from HM the Queen, Dorothy took centre stage as her party guests – ranging from her youngest brother, Dudley, 83, to great grandchildren and great nephews and nieces – sang happy birthday and raised a toast.

"It was a special and emotional moment for all involved, especially when Dorothy made her own short speech of thanks for her wonderful day and to everyone for taking

part."

Raised in Kingsthope, Dorothy was the eldest of five children, of whom included her sister Joyce and brothers Edgar, Ernest and Dudley.

She attended Kingsthorpe Grove School, leaving at 14 to join George Webb & Sons shoe factory where she met her husband, Bill.

The couple married on July 6 1940 and had two children – Julie and William – and celebrated their diamond wedding in 2000.

Bill passed away in 2002 but Dorothy was determined to live life to the full.

She surprised everyone by making trips to London on the train to see relatives and even caught buses so she could see the Olympic Torch pass through Northampton back in 2012.

She is still a regular attendee at the village’s baptist church and also enjoys weekly lunches and get-togethers thanks to the likes of Northampton’s Live at Home scheme.

"Thanks to the loving support of family, she continues to live independently," Fiona added.

"She regularly attends church - she started Sunday school in Osborne Road at the age of six - and has worshipped at Kingsthorpe Methodist Church until it closed four years ago.

"Asked whether she has a secret to her long life, Dorothy says she doesn’t really know, but her brother Dudley went some way to answering that question with the following words: 'you are greatly loved by your family and God has given you a long life because he trusted you to share it with others in the best possible way'.