THE secret to a long life involves long walks and breathing in plenty of country air, according to a Hexham woman who has just turned 100.

Betty Gibson celebrated her birthday on February 15 surrounded by her family, who took her to The County in Hexham for lunch.

And to keep the celebrations going, Betty’s friends at Charlotte Straker House in Corbridge, where she now lives, gathered round with birthday wishes and afternoon tea last Thursday.

Born in Hartlepool in 1917, Betty married her husband, Tom, in Middlesbrough in 1940. They moved to Hexham in 1946, after the war ended, and never left.

The couple ran a small shoe shop, T. Gibson, on Argyle Terrace for more than 30 years, where they had a busy business and were popular, particularly among farmers in the area.

Betty then became a volunteer guide for Hexham Abbey for more than 20 years, while enjoying walking and gardening in her spare time.

“I have always been very, very fond of the Abbey and it still holds special meaning for me,” she said.

“I met a lot of people through doing that. We’re so lucky to have the Abbey on our doorstep.”

Tom died in 2002. Betty insists they always lived a quiet life and so she wanted to celebrate her birthday in the same way.

“It was just a quiet family birthday, surrounded by lots of love which is absolutely the way I would want to spend it,” she said.

“I always say family comes first, especially the grandchildren – they are the next generation after all, and it’s important to spend time with them.”

Betty makes sure she sees lots of her two children, John and Jennifer, two grandchildren and her great granddaughter, Tabitha, who has just turned one.

After receiving her 100th birthday cake, baked by Charlotte Straker cook Debbie Armstrong, Betty thanked the staff at Charlotte Straker for being “so kind and caring and helpful.”

“It feels no different being 100,” she said. “The secret is just keeping active and walking – going for long walks and breathing in the country air has kept me going.”

samantha.spowart@hexham-courant.co.uk