A FORMER midwife who became an author has cerebrated her 100th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.

Mary Dickinson, affectionately known as Molly, is a resident at the Leeming Garth Care Home in Leeming Bar, run by HC-One.

Born in Stokesley, she trained in London as a nurse during the Second World War, nursing injured servicemen back to health following the devastation of the blitz.

She then moved back up north where she trained to be a midwife - delivering babies all over the Dales and travelling on her push bike.

She developed a love of the Dales, in particular Swaledale, and was inspired to write a book called Walks on the Swale which she had published.

She used to walk for miles in the countryside looking at the wildlife and can still remember all the names of the flowers she used to see.

Although she never married she has a close relationship with her nieces and nephews and to mark Molly’s special day her family and close friends put on a party for her at Leeming Garth.

Care home manager Lorna Burn said: “It was a perfect day which Molly thoroughly enjoyed.

“Her face when family and friends walked in was a picture to see. Molly did not know about the party and it was a lovely surprise for her.”

During the party Molly was also handed a special envelope containing a congratulatory telegram and card from the Queen.

HC-One Assistant Director, Jennifer Wright, said: “Organising memorable events like this is an important part of how HC-One provides the kindest care.”