Whitehaven woman who still likes to dance celebrates 100th birthday

Lillian Singleton, of Scotch Street, Whitehaven, is celebrating her 100th birthday on October 7.

She still lives independently and enjoys going to church, walks on the harbour, going to local classes and shopping.

Mrs Singleton said: “I can’t believe I’m 100. I didn’t expect it. I’ve been gifted. I feel just as if I was 60 except I’m a very old lady.

“I’ve had a rich, full life and I’ve really enjoyed it. There’s a bit more to come and I will just enjoy it.

“Some ladies come in the morning and they make me a cup of tea which is wonderful.

“I like the harbour and I meet people from way back, who I knew when they were little. They’re all very nice.

“I get to know everybody, I’m in different clubs. I can do a bit of dancing and this and that. I enjoy it. I get out as much as I can.”

Lillian Singleton, of Whitehaven 'can't believe' she's 100 (Image: Submitted)

Mrs Singleton said she had received lots of birthday cards and a friend has made her a cake. She has also enjoyed spending time with her family.

She said: “I’m going to get myself dressed up and make myself look a bit more elegant, which is hard because I’m so short!”

Mrs Singleton was born on October 7, 1924 and grew up in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She came to live in west Cumbria as a teenager during the war and then moved back to Newcastle.

She worked in the department store, Fenwick, where she was a window dresser and helped create the store’s iconic Christmas windows.

Mrs Singleton moved to Whitehaven after meeting her husband, the late Earnest Singleton, who worked as an engineer at Sellafield, while on holiday. She got a job at Dixon’s department store in Whitehaven.

She has a son, Peter, daughter-inlaw, Patricia, grandchildren, Karen and Alyson and husband, Ian, great-grandchildren, Thomas and Ivy, brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Lillian, nephews and nieces, Pam, Paul, Andrea, Colin, great nieces, Hollie, Kaitlyn, Emma and Sarah and many friends.