Birthday celebration for 101-year-old who has "never had a drink or worn make-up"

The oldest resident in a Newark care home celebrated her 101st birthday on Saturday.

Mrs Gladys Buttle has lived in The Troc Care Home on Beacon Hill for six months.

She was born in Dinnington, South Yorkshire, the third youngest of ten children.

When she left school she went into day service and then worked as an under-housemaid in Buxton before moving to Nottingham at the age of 24 to work in a large house.

When she was 25 she married a farmer, Mr John Buttle, whom she met in Mexborough.

They lived in Nottingham and he was responsible for looking after the pigs at a hospital in the city.

During the second world war Mrs Buttle worked as a conductor on Nottingham City Buses. The couple then ran a pub in Somercotes for 16 years before retiring.

Mrs Buttle moved to Newark to be near her family when her husband died.

She lived on Vine Way for many years until moving into the care home just before Christmas.

The couple had a daughter, Noreen, who died from cancer in her 40s, and a son, John, who lives in Cyprus. There are three grandchildren.

Mrs Buttle is a member of the Salvation Army and regularly attends services at its citadel in Balderton.

She said she led a full and busy life.

“I’ve never had a drink and never worn make-up,” she said.

“I’ve always tried to have a lovely life.”