A glass of port keeps Mabel young (From The Northern Echo)

A glass of port keeps Mabel young

8:31am Tuesday 11th August 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A STRONG faith, exercise and a glass of port a day are the secret to a long and happy life, according to one of County Durham’s oldest residents.

Mabel Stoves celebrated her 104th birthday with family and friends at Ashley House Residential Home, in Trimdon Colliery, at the weekend.

Mrs Stoves, nee Young, was born in nearby Deaf Hill and has lived in the area all her life, apart from a brief spell working in London.

She and her husband, John, were married for 46 years, until he died at the age of 71.

They ran Stoves drapery and hardware store in Trimdon Village and had four children – twins Annie and John, Jeanne and Muriel.

Mrs Stoves has seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Rose Collins, home supervisor, said: “She is a wonderful, popular, wellrespected lady with energy, a dry sense of humour and is the boss in here.

“She can be cheeky and always keeps us right.

“When we ask about her secret for living a long and happy life, she says ‘I’m a great believer in the Lord and he looks after me well’.

“She also exercises every day and has the others joining in, and enjoys a glass of port every night.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)