Former skater returns to the ice at Deeside for 100th birthday

Olive, from Birmingham, marked her 100th birthday on June, 6. 

Her carers at Birchheath Lodge Christleton, Chester, where Olive has been residing for the past year, arranged a surprise trip to Deeside Ice Rink on their day off to celebrate the special occasion.

She took to the ice with a huge smile on her face as the fond memories of her youth came flooding back.

Olive was then presented with a flower bouquet and was congratulated by skaters on reaching such an impressive milestone. 

Winifred Thomas, 83, from Wrexham, is Olive’s dearest friend who also attended the surprise celebration.

She said: “Olive has lived next door to me for 12 years. When I moved in we became instant friends.”

Winifred told the Leader about Olive’s crafty hobbies throughout her life, including being a dressmaker and designing her clothes as well as throws and accessories for her home. 

Olive’s interest in crafts and design meant that she spent much of her profession working in a jewellers shop. 

She was also a winemaker back in her youth and celebrated her 100th birthday by raising a glass in the care home after going to lunch with Winifred. 

Winifred said: “She was in her eighties when I met her. As a neighbour, if I saw a bird I didn’t recognise, I’d go over and she’d go straight to her bookshelf and be able to find it just by going off a description.

“She’s so clever, and her sense of humour is wonderful. She never complains and she’s just so popular with everyone.”

Although she wasn’t a professional skater, Olive dedicated much of her time to the sport throughout the war.

She can’t remember who taught her the skill, but said she had several teachers who rotated due to their other commitments during the war. 

Olive said she also enjoyed dancing on the ice, but didn’t learn the sport early on enough in her childhood to reach professional standards.

Olive’s husband, Terry, passed before she met Winifred who said he was a musician and court scribe as well as being in the Armed Forces. Both Terry and Olive were keen walkers enjoying frequent trips to Snowdon and Germany. 

Winifred said that singing classical music is another one of Olive’s passions and she will be attending the Storyhouse, Chester, this Sunday to see an opera performance as part of her ongoing birthday celebrations.

Olive has two sons, Simon and David, as well as two grandsons.

She thoroughly enjoyed her special surprise and is already planning a trip back to Deeside Leisure Centre in the near future.