Hadrian Healthcare

One of our residents at The Manor House Whickham has a lot to celebrate.

Violet Laws, known as Vi, celebrated her 100^th birthday on March 27.

The middle of five daughters, Vi was born to William Scott, a shipyard driller, and his wife Margaret, in Elswick, Newcastle. She is the only surviving member of the family.

Vi attended Bentinck Road School and at the age 11 was the only girl to gain a scholarship to the prestigious Rutherford College in Bath Lane, Newcastle.

At the age of 16, she went to work for Vickers on Scotswood Road, where she was a tracer in the drawing office. During the war she did civil defence work.

Six years later Vi went on to work in the same role at Northern Coachbuilders in Claremont Road, Spital Tongues. She left there in 1947 to marry Maurice Laws, who was her Army pen pal during the war. Their son Alan was born two years later.

Vi was a housewife until the untimely death of Maurice at the age of 45 in 1965. This led her return to the workplace at the Inland Revenue, Thorntons chocolate store in Newcastle and in her sister’s grocery shop, she also spent extended periods with one of her sisters, who lived in Canada.

Vi adores gardening and trips to garden centres and maintained a detailed planting diagram of her garden over many decades. Her other interests include history, and her favourite books are factually accurate historic novels.

Vi loves meeting people and takes every opportunity to chat to those who have stop and talk to her. She also loves animals and enjoys cuddles with any canine visitors who come to the Home.

Jane Tworkowski, manager at The Manor House Whickham said: “Vi is a much-loved member of the Manor House family. Our staff and residents have celebrated with Vi and her family to make her milestone birthday an extra special day.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HADRIAN HEALTHCARE

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Ian Watson is founder, owner and Chairman of Hadrian Healthcare Group which he first established in 1995.

Hadrian Healthcare provides residential care for elderly people in five-star, luxury accommodation. The company aims to ensure each resident receives the highest standard of individualised care.