South Shields woman who remembers the festive period in the town as a 'special time' marks her 100th birthday today

Jenny Dodds marks her centenary today – with much of it having been spent in South Tyneside.

The 100-year-old was born on Heldey Street, South Shields, at the Lawe Top on this day in 1920 and her family lived at various points at Saville Street and Henry Street.

According to one of her great-grandchildren, previous generations of Mrs Dodds’ family can be traced back in the area to the 1700s.

One of her most abiding memories, the family told The Gazette, was when she traveled to London at just 14 to go into service.

At other points in Mrs Dodds’ life, she worked as a house servant, an assistant to a London actress and as a healthcare worker at the Royal London Hospital in the capital.

Her family have planned various Covid-adapted birthday celebrations at the assisted living centre, where she lives.

Despite the borough having exited lockdown this week – along with the rest of the country – restrictions are such that they can not enter the facility to see Mrs Dodds in person.

Bottles of champagne for all the centre's residents, a singer specialising in 1940s and 1950s music, a telegram from the Queen and other birthday surprises await Mrs Dodds at some point today.

Her great-grandson, Mark Strachan, also from South Shields, told The Gazette: “Jenny’s early memories were being at school in Barring Street from the ages 5-14 and playing outdoors around Barring street and Marine Park.

"There was no funfair at that point. Hopscotch and skipping ropes were the ‘in’ games!

"She remembers Christmas as a very special time, with the whole family getting together and presents being simple but much more exciting...she always remembers clementines and sweets being in the stocking.”

Mr Strachan, 45, added: “Her favourite thing now is the iPad – she’s on the iPad and she’s on YouTube more than I am.

"She loves all the 1940s and 1950s music. That’s what she’s on there listening to every night and that’s what we hope she’ll have on Thursday.

"I know most people would say this about their family. But she’s a genuinely selfless and caring person – we’re really looking forward to putting this on for her.”

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