The secrets to a long life from two Notts ladies turning 100 together

Betty Thompson and Edna Slack pictured at Gedling Village Care Home
-Credit: (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)


Two ladies at a Nottinghamshire care home have revealed their secrets behind living to 100 years old. Living a sensible (not "greedy") life, walking and spending holidays in Scotland are just some of the things that helped Betty Thompson and Edna Slack reach the impressive age.

The special occasion was marked not just by family members and staff at Gedling Village Care Home, but by people all around the world and local businesses, who sent Betty and Edna more than 500 birthday cards. Betty, whose birthday was on Sunday, September 22, has celebrated her birthday party amongst family and friends, while Edna has expressed her wish for a big birthday party on October 6 since the beginning of 2023.

Betty, from Nottingham, has lived at the care home since April 2024 and says she is very well looked after. She said: "The secret behind living to 100 years old is looking after your stomach and eating well, having plenty of sleep and living a sensible life, not a greedy one.

"If I have any regrets, they're so small that they don't bother me and my family is my biggest achievement. I would tell my younger self to look at people more carefully before I became friendly with them. You live and learn."

Betty Thompson pictured at Gedling Village Care Home in Nottingham.
Betty said she was very proud of her family -Credit:Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC

Betty added that she does not feel her age. She said: "I don't feel 100. I still eat the same things, I still have the same opinions and I'm willing to change some."

Despite turning 100 in just a few days, Edna, who grew up near Sheffield, does everything for herself and even still goes to the hairdresser's to have her hair done. She says she has no regrets and never wanted to get married and have children, however, she loves being surrounded by them and looking after them.

She said: "I don't know what the secret behind living to 100 is. Working kept me going ang going on my holidays to Scotland. I love walking, I walk everywhere. There's no secret, you just have to keep healthy and enjoy your holidays.

Edna Slack pictured at Gedling Village Care Home in Nottingham.
Edna doesn't feel anywhere near 100 years old -Credit:Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC

"I wouldn't tell my younger self anything because I always did everything I wanted. If I wanted to go somewhere, I went. I don't feel anywhere near 100 years old. I feel young."

Betty and Edna are the first residents to celebrate the impressive birthday since the care home moved to its current address on Arnold Lane. in 2013. Tracy Maddock, who works at the care home, said: "People have been so generous, we've received over 500 cards coming from all over the world - Canada, Luxembourg, Australia.

"We had pupils from Rise Park School coming in as well and we have some more coming in for Edna's birthday because she loves them so much. We try to work with the community because it helps the residents as they don't always get visitors, some of them get none at all. We can't believe how generous people have been."