Watch as Northampton street sings happy birthday to veteran as he celebrates 100th milestone in isolation

A Northampton street full of good neighbours came out and sang to a veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday in isolation.

Gordon Bentley, who is ‘born and bred Northampton’, turned 100 on Saturday (April 4) and was supposed to mark his milestone with a party at Northampton and District Bowls Club.

But due to the coronavirus outbreak and isolation guidelines, the party had to be postponed.

Instead, neighbours on the street where Gordon lives in Duston, sang happy birthday to him.

Gina Beasant, who lives next door to Gordon, said: “Gordon had to postpone his party that was booked at the bowls club. He’d had it booked from the middle of last year and he had 86 people coming, friends, family, grandchildren and great grandchildren from all over the country.

“He was so looking forward to his party so my daughter and I said we would do something for his birthday.

“We got a lot of people from the street to sing happy birthday to him at 11am. There must have been about 20 people, all spread out of course.

“He had loads of cards sent to him as well and some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren came to sing happy birthday to him beforehand.

“We really just tried to make it special for him because we had to postpone everything else.”

Gordon took it all in by sitting at his window and waving to his neighbours, alongside his many cards, including a special one from The Queen.

Gina added: “Gordon was overwhelmed by it all. He doesn’t do Facebook, but we have explained to him about so many people watching the video clips and he couldn’t believe it.

“He’s had so many messages and people from the bowls club have been in contact too.”

Gordon was born in the St James’ area of the town and went on to serve in north Africa during the Second World War.

“I have lived next door for 20 years. Unfortunately he lost his wife four and half years ago and I lost my husband two years ago so we’ve both been rocks for each other,” Gina continued.

“I go in every morning to make sure he is OK and have a chat with him.

“He loves coming to the bowls club as he used to play for nearly 60 years.

“He has made so many friends there, he loves it and has been a social member for two or three years.”

Since his birthday on Saturday, Gordon and his neighbours have become an internet hit, with videos being shared broadly.

The Royal British Legion has also delivered Easter gifts to Gordon since learning about his milestone birthday.

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