A LIFELONG love of gardening and of dancing are the key ingredients for long life, according to Eleanor Armstrong.
Mrs Armstrong celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday, with a buffet lunch and sing-song with family and friends at Eastbourne Nursing Home, Darlington.
Born in Wolsingham, Weardale, she was a pupil at St Anne's Primary School and in her teens became one of the first Guides in the village.
She worked in the Wolsingham Steel Works and made munitions during the First World War.
In 1926 she married Joe Armstrong who worked on the railways and the couple moved with Joe's work, but never strayed too far from her home and family.
Having lived in, among other places Hull and Bishop Auckland, they settled in Darlington in 1975 to be near daughter Margaret and her two grandchildren.
Her husband died, aged 78, in 1977, but Mrs Armstrong stayed active and kept up a keen passion for dancing and gardening. She also practised needlework and has travelled to the US twice.
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