A YORK woman recalled songs from her youth at her 100th birthday party.

Alice Gaffney joined in some of her favourite Geordie anthems at the party, which was attended by her family and the Lord Mayor, Coun Sue Galloway at Fordlands Road residential home, where she has lived since 2007.

Mrs Gaffney, who was born in Middlesbrough, moved to Newcastle as a child and lived in the district of Byker most her life.

In 1930, she was out with a friend in Newcastle, when they started talking to two soldiers. One of them, her now late husband Jim, she went on to marry in 1935. Her friend married the other soldier.

Alice worked in service in London from the age of 18, travelling down to London on boats from Newcastle and also worked in Croydon Hospital as a cleaner.

She later moved to York to live with her daughter Joan Wallace in Huntington.

Alice also has three grandchildren – Christine, Jimmy, and Alison – and three great grandchildren – Sam, 19, Ayesha, 16, and Abby, 14.

“We have had a wonderful meal today,” said Joan. “The cook Michelle put on a wonderful spread and we’ve all had a good old sing song. She has a good singing voice.”

Alice received a telegram from the Queen, as well as cards from City of York Council and the Ministry of Pensions.

Meanwhile, a former college vice-principal from York was today celebrating his 100th birthday. Students who were once taught by Christopher Chapman during his time in the geography department at St John’s Training College were among those who sent birthday wishes as his family, friends and ex-colleagues helped him toast the milestone at a champagne reception.

Mr Chapman, who now lives at Lamel Beeches care home in Heslington Road, was born in the Manchester area but came to York in 1946 to work at the college in Lord Mayor’s Walk, becoming vice-principal five years later and retiring in 1973.

Previously, he served in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War and became a Major in the Royal Signals.

Following his retirement, Mr Chapman went on to take the roles of secretary and treasurer with the Friends of York Minster, and was appointed a lay canon provincial by the Archbishop of York in 1978 in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the Church of England.