Retired pub landlady Anne celebrates her centenary at Ripon care home

FORMER pub landlady and globetrotter Anne Sames has celebrated her 100^th birthday with two parties at her Ripon care home.

The centenarian was joined by her family, fellow residents, and staff at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road, on her big day, when she was showered with cards and gifts.

The care home was decorated with bunting, balloons, and other decorations, while partygoers passed on their well wishes to Anne and joined her for a singalong to some of her favourite old-time songs.

She also received a specially made birthday cake, topped with her favourite fruit, strawberries.

When staff told her they were celebrating her 100^th birthday, Anne responded: “Like hell I’m 100. I’m 16.” When asked her secret to a long life, she said: “I don’t have any secrets.”

Anne was born on 24^th April 1923 in Leeds. After the death of her mother, Anne left school at 14 to help look after her father and older brothers.

She worked as an office junior until 1940 and then, at 19, joined the Army and worked in Nottingham, in the post office section, during the Second World War, during which she met her future husband Geoffrey John Ashworth Sames.

Geoff and Anne married after the war ended, in 1945, at All Hallows Church, in Leeds. The couple were married for 41 years, until Geoff died in 1986. They had five children, Rod, Michael, Jonathan, Andrew, and Valerie, and now have 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

During their married life, Anne and her family lived all over the world, travelling for Geoff’s job in the RAF. Some of the places they called home were Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Malta, Singapore, Scotland, and all across the UK, including Leeds, Nottingham, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Cornwall, Lincolnshire, Knaresborough, Acomb, Minskip, and Doncaster.

One of their favourites was Malta during the 1950s, when they enjoyed the nightlife. Anne said: “I was living in Malta when Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were based there. The social life was very exciting.”

After Geoff retired from the RAF in 1966, they ran The Ridgewood pub, at Edenthorpe, where Anne became the landlady. Then during the 1980s, Anne worked in a care home, in Harrogate, before retiring.

She moved to Sycamore Hall Care Home in April 2018, just a week before her 95^th birthday.

Anne’s family travelled from all over to join her for her centenary, including her daughter Val and her husband, who came from North America, and her son Chris and his partner.

As well as her birthday, Anne has been looking forward to the coronation of King Charles III. She said: “Charles is a true gentleman and very good looking. He will always help a Damsel in distress.”

Ewelina Sosnowska, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “It was a privilege to celebrate Anne’s 100^th birthday with her and her family.

“She had a brilliant day, being treated like the Queen she is. She even had a gold crown for her party. We held two parties, one on her actual birthday for her family, and one for Anne and the rest of our residents, but the family joined us for that occasion as well.

“Anne has a great sense of humour and loves singing. She always knows all the words to the old-time songs, so we all enjoyed a sing-along during the party.

“Happy birthday again to Anne from everyone at Sycamore Hall Care Home.”