Family Gathering at Appledore

There was a notable family gathering at no. 4 New Street, Appledore, on New Year’s Eve when the oldest woman in Appledore, Mrs Matilda Lamey, celebrated her 95th birthday.

Seven of her eight surviving children, five of them old-age pensioners, came in to wish their mother a happy birthday. They brought with them gifts and congratulations from her eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Although six of Mrs Lamey’s children live at Appledore, they had not met all together in this way for years.

So on New Year’s Eve Mrs Lamey’s eldest daughter, Mrs Ada Revely, John, Fred, Mrs H Tucker, Mrs B Lobbett with whom Mrs Lamey is living, Percy and Randall, all joined their mother in the festively decorated sitting room to cut the birthday cake, made by Mrs Lamey’s daughter-in-law, Mrs Eric Lobbett, of Glenburnie.

Mr Tom Lamey, now living in Hayes, Middlesex, was unable to come down to Appledore for the occasion.

Congratulation cards and telegrams, money and other gifts came into the household with the Christmas mail, and Mrs Lamey is still busy replying to each sender.

‘I am well looked after by my family’ said Mrs Lamey when asked what made her such a bright, communicative person at her age.

She added that she liked to sit by the fire and watch TV ‘especially the horses,’ enjoyed listening to singing and liked a glass of beer occasionally.

Gazette article dated 9 January 1959