A woman who lived in Bradley Stoke for almost thirty years before recently moving into a care home in Winterbourne has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Betty Hiscox, formerly of Breaches Gate, was joined by her large family and numerous friends at a party held at Little Stoke Social Club on Sunday 20th May.
Betty was born in Barton Hill, where she grew up with her younger brothers and sisters. When she was 16 years of age she met George, also from Barton Hill. A few years later they were married and remained living there. Betty and George were blessed with seven children – four girls and three boys.
The growing size of their family saw them more from their home in Granville Street to a larger house in Lockleaze Road, Horfield. In due course, they were thrilled to have 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
In later years, they decided to downsize to a modern two-bedroom house with a manageable garden, so in 1989 Betty and George moved to Breaches Gate in Bradley Stoke. Sadly, after only three weeks in their new home, George passed away.
Betty gradually adapted to life on her own and joined Stoke Gifford Eventide Club, where she always looked forward to Wednesday afternoons and the lovely coach trips throughout the summer.
Many a day she would venture out on different bus routes. It was quite usual for her to go to Bedminster, then into town and on to Kingswood all in one day.
At the age of 74, she bravely travelled alone to Australia to visit her sister Ann and husband Ben.
Her house in Breaches Gate was near the entrance to Baileys Court Primary School and she loved seeing the children going to and fro – often they would chat with her, which really made her day.
In recent years, Betty had been more confined to her home and eventually moved to Blossom Fields care home in Winterbourne. On Saturday 19th May, the day before her actual birthday, the home celebrated the royal wedding with a party for Betty being incorporated.
Speaking at her main party on the Sunday, Betty said she had always hoped to live to 100 and was proud of reaching the milestone.
She said she had loved living in Bradley Stoke for 29 years, during which time she had enjoyed going for meals at local pubs.
Two of Betty’s children live in Bradley Stoke, and she says she is lucky to have them so close. “If I need anything, the family is always there.”
Photo: Betty Hiscox (seated) at her family party with children (l-r) Tony, Janet, Bernice, Clive, Anita, Linda and Terry,
This article originally appeared in the June 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on page 8). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
