A 100-year-old man from Wythenshawe was one of the last people to receive a birthday card from HM Queen Elizabeth II before she died.
Reaching the grand-old age of 100 is not a milestone that many people reach in their lifetimes.
Because this is such a momentous occasion, it has been a long-established Royal tradition that the reigning monarch sends the centenarian a birthday message to congratulate them and wish them well on their special day.
The tradition dates back to 1917, with King George V the first sent out a congratulatory message, and most monarch’s – including Queen Elizabeth II – following suit.
When the Post Office introduced the ‘Special Greetings Telegram’ in the 1940s, Queen Elizabeth II agreed that birthday telegrams should be sent out in this format to add to the sense of occasion, and then, in 1999, Buckingham Palace decided to make them greetings card-style telegrams instead – which feature a personalised message and offer a more warm and personal greeting to the recipient.
Queen Elizabeth II sent thousands of celebration telegrams during her 70-year reign, and it’s likely the tradition will continue under King Charles III.
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100-year old man receives one of the last telegrams in the world from the Queen https://t.co/o7r1u3KawC
Neville Tonkin was one of those people to receive a greeting card from Her Majesty.
The Wythenshawe man reached the 100-year milestone on Monday 12 September, which automatically-qualified him to receive a card from the late Queen.
After Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September, Neville’s family were not sure if the card was going to be from the Queen or King Charles III, but after they opened it, they realised it had been signed by the monarch before she passed.
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Speaking to ITV Granada about his reaction when his family presented him with the birthday special message, Neville said it’s “the best card [he’s] ever had.”
He explained: “They said ‘you’ve got a picture of the Queen’. I said what for? They said, ‘you’re a hundred years old!’ Who’s a hundred these days? I feel a bit special about it, I feel as though I’m the leader of the pack. I don’t feel like an old man, I want to get out and play cricket or football.
“I thought so much of the Queen – it’s the best card I’ve ever had.”
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
HM Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96 on 8 September 2022.
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During her reign, Elizabeth II served as Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth – undertaking an important symbolic and unifying role as a head of state, spanning numerous geographical regions, cultures, and religions.
She was not just the longest-reigning British monarch in history, but she was also the first-ever monarch to reign in the UK for 70 years.
She was beloved by many for her sense of duty and devotion to her role.
Music legend Billy Ocean pays a visit to Mama Flo’s in Stockport
Danny Jones
Cult Stockport foodie favourite Mama Flo’s has been visited by yet another shock famous face when music legend Billy Ocean ‘Suddenly’ popped into the takeaway this week.
What a lovely surprise for the local hero.
Mama Flo’s is not just a go-to eatery for many in the Great Moor neighbourhood; its glowing reviews and long-standing reputation have meant that it’s frequently patronised by out-of-town tourists as well as plenty of celebrities.
Florence Beryl Coke, now in her 70s, is no stranger to welcoming household names, but given the Caribbean royalty in question, she was clearly blown away when the ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’ singer came through the door.
Billy Ocean, 75 himself, played the O2 Apollo in June on his most recent headline tour, but the Trinidadian-born British soul and pop singer has still but up and down the country throughout the year.
We’re not too sure why he was up in Greater Manchester this week, but we’re glad he was.
Writing on Facebook, Flo wrote: “What a good night, tonight. Feeling so tired and having a break – then guess who walked in? The greatest Billy Ocean, and boy, we had a great night chatting away with his entourage. Thank you, Billy, for a splendid night.”
Following up with another grateful post on Friday morning, 14 November, she quoted the title of his most famous hit, before adding: “We love you, Billy Ocean. Thanks for the support last night and [thank you to] your team, love.”
Knowing how hard Flo works, having become famous for her incredible work ethic and regularly working overtime to serve the community, this will no doubt have felt like a well-earned reward after another long, hard day.
Kyle Walker is one of many footballers who’ve been.Couldn’t agree more.Credit: Mama Flo’s
She doesn’t just get one-time visitors either: regulars include The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown, nearby actor Will Mellor, and a plethora of regional soap stars.
In this case, Billy Ocean was just the latest celeb to get out of her dreams and into her shop – and yes, that may be a rather stretched pun, but it was worth it, nevertheless.
So, if you’ve still never been to one of the best food spots in Stockport, Mama Flo’s now has the certified Billy Ocean seal of approval to its name, as well as having featured on our very own Takeaway Champions a little while back. We can’t think of any better advert to go and try it for yourself.
Featured Images — Mama Flo’s (via Facebook)/The Manc Eats
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Asda’s over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal is back with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1
Emily Sergeant
Asda’s popular £1 ‘winter warmer’ cafe meal deal has returned to support the over 60s during the colder months.
After it was sadly revealed that almost one in five elderly people claimed there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul last Christmas, and that during the run up to the big day, 15% said they got used to not conversing with other people, Asda has decided to relaunch one of its most widely-praised cafe meal deals again this year.
The supermarket is, once again, offering all over 60s the chance to enjoy some warming soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its cafes across the UK.
This year’s Winter Warmer initiative has two hearty soup flavours to choose from – tomato and chicken.
With the deal running now until the end of next February, Asda is also inviting and encouraging many locals to pop along to their in-store cafe and use the £1 Winter Warmer meal as an opportunity to come and chat to others.
The popular ‘Chatty Cafe’ scheme is a lifeline for people to come together under one roof, eat and drink, and make some new friends.
“We know winter is set to be incredibly hard for thousands of pensioners, as they continue to worry about how to keep themselves warm in the face of rising living costs and on a fixed income,” commented Jordan Cummings, who is the Buying Manager, Cafes, and Concessions at Asda.
“Last year alone, we sold over half a million meals showing the vital need for this initiative.
“By bringing Winter Warmers back this November, we hope it will continue to be just as impactful across the winter months for those who need it most, as well as offering a relaxed social environment to come and chat to others.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th September 2022 
