Birthday Greetings

Jul

2024

100TH BIRTHDAY

To make Betty Neil’s 100th birthday even more special not one but four pipers helped her get the celebrations underway.

Betty was so surprised when members of the East Kilbride Pipe Band showed up to entertain her and all the caring staff and fellow residents at Whitehills Care Home this week.

Betty was also joined by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper who gave her flowers and a certificate on behalf of the council.

And Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Alison Plummer DL presented Betty with a certificate from The King and The Queen Consort to mark her reaching 100.

Betty Neil with Provost Margaret Cooper and Deputy Lieutenant Alison Plummer

Betty was born on 17 July 1924 and grew up with her parents William and Agnes in Vulcan Street, Glasgow. She also had a twin sister Ella, two other sisters and four brothers.

She went to Hyde Park school then left and went to work as a machinist at local firm D&H where she met her husband Tommy.

The couple couldn’t have children but Tommy always said he married Betty because he wanted to be with her, not to have a family.

And when asked what was Betty’s secret to reaching 100 she said “having a good husband who was full of fun”.

Tommy was in the Navy and worked as a marine engineer. When he was transferred to Bedford in England with his job, Betty soon followed and they stayed there for more than 30 years.

When Tommy suddenly passed away Betty stayed there for a while but moved back up to East Kilbride to stay with her brother and sister-in-law in the Village.

Betty enjoyed going to church and was involved in the church Guilds.

In 2021 Betty moved to Whitehills Care Home, a place she says she really enjoys staying in.

Betty Neil with two members of staff from Whitehills Care Home, Provost Margaret Cooper and Deputy Lieutenant Alison Plummer

Betty enjoys her visits from her niece Liz and husband John and her friends come to visit her as well.

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office

100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MRS AGNES TODD

Many congratulations to Mrs Agnes Todd from Shotts who recently celebrated her 100th Birthday . Continue reading →

Jun

2023

100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MRS ELIZABETH LAMARRA

Many congratulations to Mrs Elizabeth Lamarra from Motherwell who recently celebrated her 100th Birthday . Continue reading →

May

2023

100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MR BOB FULTON

Many congratulations to Bob Fulton from East Kilbride who celebrated his 100th Birthday on 20th May 2023. Continue reading →

Mar

2023

100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MISS JANET (NETT) GILLAN

Miss Janet (Nett) Gillan has celebrated her 100th birthday chatting with friends and family at a special lunch in her honour.

Nett, who now stays in Lindsayfield, East Kilbride, said the secret for her reaching her 100th year was that she “never married”.

And to help her celebrate her remarkable achievement, South Lanarkshire’s Provost Margaret Cooper and Deputy Lieutenant John Brown DL, also attended the party and presented Nett with gifts and certificates.

Nett was born on 13 February 1923 and spent most of her life in Holytown before moving to Bellshill with her brother and sister (also unmarried) in 1992. She also had other siblings and has nieces and nephews.

She went to Bellshill Academy and then on to college to learn to type.

During the war years, she recalls zig-zagging through the streets of Glasgow with a wee torch to light her path. She would go on roof tops to watch for fires during air raids.

She then worked in insurance before taking on a temporary job with the council which lasted 40 years – moving through the ranks to be secretary/PA supporting the work of the chief area architect. She loved her job and brought in the fees for many projects including building new schools.

Nett retired in 1984 at the age of 61.

Over the years she travelled quite a bit, including going down through Russia into white Russia (now called Ukraine). She also travelled on the QEII and Concord.

Now living in Lindsayfield, Nett may not be as mobile as she used to be but still has a very active mind, keeping up to date with current affairs and is still a font of knowledge on local events from her early years that have long since been forgotten.