A 100-year-old Northern woman has revealed that she believes the key to living a long life is not talking to “strange men”.
Olive Westerman celebrated a milestone that not many get to achieve this week – her 100th birthday.
The centenarian – who is a much-loved resident at Deewater Grange care home in Chester – was born in South Kirby in Yorkshire in 1923, and has lived a fulfilling life from starting out working as a nursery nurse for children during the war for nine months, before she met her husband Sam at the local church she’d been going to all her life.
Olive and Sam were married soon after meeting, and the lovebirds when on to share a “lifetime of happy memories” together before he sadly passed away.
The nature of Sam’s job as a clerk and a writer meant that the couple had the chance to travel all over the world.
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This even included them getting to call Singapore home for three years.
But despite everything she has been lucky to do in her lifetime, managing 100 laps around the sun is no doubt one of Olive’s biggest achievements, and so, the team of carers at Deewater Grange decided to go “above and beyond” to ensure she had a “celebration to remember”.
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As a lover of travel, Olive got to take a trip to Inglewood Manor in Ellesmere Port to celebrate her special day, and she was joined by all her fellow residents at the care home for something that she had never gotten the chance to experience before – a private “high tea”.
The home also continued the tradition that Olive’s late husband Sam began, and gifted her a bottle of Estee Lauder perfume on her birthday.
100-year-old Northern woman says the key to a long life is not talking to ‘strange men’ / Credit: Deewater Grange Care Home
“Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Olive’s birthday, and she was particularly pleased to enjoy a very special afternoon tea,”
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“Here at Deewater Grange, we always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, and Olive’s 100th was no exception,” Sally Cooper, home manager at Deewater Grange, told Cheshire Live.
“Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating, and Olive was particularly pleased to enjoy a very special afternoon tea.
“Olive has been living at Deewater Grange for just over a year now, and the home simply wouldn’t be the same without her. Olive’s wonderful outlook on life never fails to make us smile and her quick wit definitely keeps us on our toes.”
But what exactly does Olive credit her long life to then? What is her secret?
Known at the home for her beaming smile and brilliant sense of humour, when asked this question, Olive comically responds: “Avoid talking to strange men, and you’ll be just fine.”
Featured Image – Deewater Grange Care Home
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Beloved play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time set to return to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved stage plays of the 21st Century is returning to Manchester.
Based on the celebrated 2003 novel of the same name that captivated readers worldwide, and inspired a groundbreaking National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is returning to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in early 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The new play is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens, and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
Taking over the Manchester Opera House stage in March 2027, critics have described the production as ‘inventive, gripping, and moving’.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story to create an ‘unforgettable’ theatrical event.
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If you’re not familiar with the plot, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone – a gifted child with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life.
When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself under suspicion, but determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, ultimately forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure,” commented Playwright Simon Stephens, as the new adaptation was announced this week.
“It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria, and from school drama clubs to Wembley Way.
“I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester Opera House as part of its UK tour from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Friday (21 November) at 10am.
Manchester set to host five UEFA EURO 2028 matches – including England’s opening game
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been confirmed to be the host of five matches at the upcoming UEFA EURO tournament in 2028.
This also, crucially, would include England‘s opening match, should they qualify directly.
The joint announcement by Manchester City and Manchester City Council today comes as UEFA has now released key details about the UK & Ireland 2028 competition – which, as it stands, is less than 1,000 days away.
It has been confirmed that the Etihad Stadium – which is known as The City of Manchester Stadium when not relating to Manchester City football club – will host four Group Stage matches across four different groups, offering both local and international football fans the chance to see a range of different national teams in action.
On top of this, Manchester will also be the host a Round of 16 knockout match as the tournament progresses.
UEFA EURO 2028 will kick off at the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff on Friday 9 June 2028, culminating in the Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 9 July 2028.
Across the UK and Ireland, nine stadiums will host matches during the upcoming tournament – with other northern stadiums including Everton Stadium in Liverpool, and St James’ Park over in Newcastle.
More than three million tickets – as sold by UEFA – are set to be available for the tournament, and more information on this will be issued in due course.
Following an independent assessment, UEFA EURO 2028 is expected to generate up to £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits for the UK and Ireland between 2028 and 2031, with benefits including job creation, regional growth, and direct spending from international visitors.
The countdown has started in Manchester for #EURO2028!
Five matches are scheduled to be played here – including England's opener if they qualify – and more than 300,000 fans will be welcomed to the city in June 2028.
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2023 
