Mother said never reveal your age, says 105-year-old

wdnews@bepp.co.uk

In the year Margery Berry was born, King Edward VII was on the throne, Albert Einstein published four papers and the first U-boat was launched.

More than a century later, the former Bath mayoress has celebrated her 105th birthday with a reception at the Guildhall.

Mrs Berry, who still lives independently in the Lansdown area, walked unaided into her party and even gave a speech.

Born in Lancashire in 1905, she attended Harrogate College, and was educated in elocution before becoming an actress and singer, taking lead roles at the Manchester Opera House.

She became the mayoress of Bath in 1952 when her husband Alleyne was made first citizen.

The couple had met at a dance and been married at Manchester Cathedral in the late 1920s.

The newlyweds then moved to Otley in Yorkshire before moving south to Bath in 1932 after the birth of their first son Roger.

Mr Berry set up an auctioneers and valuers business and the couple went on to have two more children – Mary, now a well-known cookery writer, and William.

Just before the Second World War, Mr Berry became a city councillor and served on a string of local authority committees. Mrs Berry was the founding chairman of the Friends of the Royal United Hospital in 1957, and also chaired a Townswomen’s Guild group and the city’s Inner Wheel.

She enjoyed her year as mayoress, which included a visit to America. Her son William said: “Father was asked to go to America, but said he never went anywhere without his wife – so they told him to bring her too.

“When they were in America they were given the president’s bodyguard to look after them.”

After the death of her husband in 1993, Mrs Berry threw herself into more community work.

The great grandmother’s reception for friends and family at the Mayor’s Parlour was attended by the mayor, Councillor Shaun McGall.

Mrs Berry was presented with a cake and told her audience that her own mother would have been shocked at such a celebration of longevity. She said: “I am so pleased to be here to celebrate with my friends and family.

“My mother was a very posh woman who always said ‘a lady never gives away her true age’.

“She would be surprised that I have told you all mine.”

Her daughter Mary said: “Mother is a very determined lady, who lives life to the full. She is a keen bridge player and is very proud of her family.

“The secret to her long life, she would say, is to have patience, be pleasant to all around you, and enjoy what you have – not worry about what you haven’t.”

Mr McGall said he was pleased to be able to mark the occasion with her.

He said: “It is an honour to be here with Mrs Berry for her 105th birthday. She is a remarkable lady.”