County news: Happy 107th for one of the county's oldest residents

One of Sussex's oldest residents celebrated her 107th birthday on Friday February 5.
Mabel Law. Photo courtesy of West Sussex County Council.Mabel Law. Photo courtesy of West Sussex County Council.
Mabel Law. Photo courtesy of West Sussex County Council.

Mabel Law, who is thought to be Crawley’s oldest resident as well as being one of the oldest in all Sussex, spent her birthday celebrating with family and fellow residents at the Shaw care home Burleys Wood.

A party was held at the care home and local bakery, Tilgate Bakery, made Mabel a special cake.

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Mabel, who has five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, said: “I don’t feel any older. It is nice to get cards from the Queen on my birthday.”

She said she had been overwhelmed by all the attention, but revealed the secret to a long life was clean living.

She said: “I have never smoked and I only had a drink once. We didn’t have enough money to drink or smoke.

“I always see the best in people. There is always good in people.”

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Among her favourite activities is singing, especially the song My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean.

When Mabel was born King Edward VII was on the throne and suffragettes were campaigning for women to have the vote. She was five years old when World War One broke out and three when the Titanic sank.

Mabel was born in London and had a variety of jobs in her working life including at a bakery, London Electricity Board and at the Metal Box in Manor Royal.

She was visited on her birthday by Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for adult social care and health.

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Peter said: “Mabel is a remarkable lady. We had a good chat and she liked the flowers. It was lovely to meet Mabel on her birthday and I wished her many happy returns.”

Wan Nowakowski, manager at Burleys Wood care home, said: “Mabel has settled in really well since she joined us. She has had such a wonderful time with her friends and family. It’s been a lovely, lovely day.”

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