Kathleen's secret to reaching 100? Multi-tasking...

A GREAT-great-great grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends.
Kathleen Thompson, who lived in Eggleston for more than 40 years, marked her milestone birthday on February 8 with a celebratory afternoon tea party at The Manor House care home, in Barnard Castle, where she now lives.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Mrs Thompson was one of two children brought up by her parents, Elizabeth Fell and Sidney Meigh, in the town of Longton.
Mrs Thompson’s father helped to manage the family-owned pottery businesses Cyples and the Anchor works.
These were bought and made into successful businesses by her grandfather who worked in partnership with English potter John Aynsley until the war halted production.
Having excelled at school, Mrs Thompson won a scholarship to attend Longton High School after which she trained as a pharmacist. During the war, Ms Thompson worked at the Royal Ordnance factory in Bridgwater, in Somerset, testing explosives. That was where she met her husband William.
Originally from South Shields, Mr Thompson was working as a chief engineer on tankers in the Merchant Navy. The couple went on to have two sons, Donald and Michael.
After returning to the North East and settling in the dale, the couple were landlords of The Three Tuns, in Toft Hill, during the 1960s before they made the move to Eggleston. Mr Thompson died in 1984.
As well as bringing up a family, Mrs Thompson bred and showed dogs, following in the footsteps of her aunt Florence who used to breed English mastiffs.
She was also a member of the Mothers’ Union and served on her church committee.
Ms Thompson’s son, Donald, said: “Determination is what keeps her going. She was always very keen on dogs and she always kept herself fit. I have never known her ail anything. She is quite amazing.”
Town mayor Cllr John Blissett presented Mrs Thompson with a bouquet of flowers.
Cllr Blissett said: “It is an honour to be invited here today. We don’t get many 100th birthdays.”
Manager of The Manor House Kim Whelan said: “Kathleen loves to talk about her adventures and interests over the years and attributes long life to multi-tasking. We’re very proud to be part of her life.”