Ruby Celebrates her 102nd Birthday!
Ruby Aris celebrated her 102nd birthday at Eothen, Sutton, recently. She was born in March 1913 in Edmonton. When she was 15 Ruby was a member of the North London Harriers running club and regularly sprinted and won prizes. It was fairly uncommon for girls to compete in athletics at the time and some of the prizes that Ruby remembers winning were items for her bottom drawer. Ruby stopped going to the running club when she met and married her husband Stan.
Ruby had a very busy birthday with a visit from Kate Jenrick from The Highgate Harriers running club in the morning. Kate was eager to chat to Ruby about her memories of her own club which has since disbanded. She showed Ruby and her family film clips of cross country running from the 1930’s at Ruby’s club. Ruby loved chatting and reminiscing about her running days.
In the afternoon Ruby had a special tea party with lots of her family members. One of her favourite entertainers played the piano and sang for us. Ruby had a dance with her brother in law and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house watching them take a turn around the floor.
Special visitors included Paul Burstow our local MP and Arthur Hookway the Mayor of Sutton and his wife.
After a roof raising “Happy Birthday” we all shared a slice of Ruby’s special 102nd birthday cake and a glass of sherry.
