Vera Sibun is 100 tomorrow and, who knows, the agile Gillingham centenarian well may celebrate with a high kick or touch her toes.

Her friend Eileen Richards says: “I visit her every day and her stories keep me enthralled. We were sat one day nattering away when Vera said she could kick her legs high into the air – and promptly did so,
right up high. Then
last week, she
promptly bent down
and touched her toes. She says the exercises the physios gave her were not hard enough, she wanted something more challenging to do.”

High-spirited Vera was born in Southport, Lancashire on July 24, 1921. She left school at 14 and eventually took a job demonstrating Singer sewing machines. Once, Vera and a group of ladies sat in a shop window giving a demonstration – and attracted the attention of a group of Polish soldiers billeted nearby.

“They tried talking to us through the window, gesticulating how beautiful they thought we were. “We pretended to ignore them – but of course enjoyed their attention,” said Vera.

Early in the war, she worked in a government office which recorded the names of those killed, and whose names had to be taken off the national register – “a very sad thing to do.”

In 1941 she met husband George, a sailor aboard HMS Ripley who was on a gunnery course in Southport. They married the following year and moved to London where George rejoined the Metropolitan Police. Vera’s father and one of her sons also served in the police. The couple had an English Bull Terrier named Belle. On his walks, they occasionally popped into the local pub.

“Our drinks were always lined up ready as Belle had run ahead and told the landlord,” laughs Vera.

They also adopted a German Shepherd dog who had been ill-treated and it led to the couple both becoming dog trainers, which they did for many years.
After 33 years in the police, they retired to Combe Martin, Devon. But George became ill in 2007 and they moved to Gillingham to be near family.
Vera soon made friends, and one particular mate was Gloria.

Another was Eileen, who says: “Vera and Gloria used to go out together with their shopping trolleys and were known as the Trolley Dollies. They giggled together on the way to the shops and called out to everyone as they went past. It was comical from behind because they were always nattering away together, heads waggling and giggling like schoolgirls.”

Eileen has known Vera for 11 years, getting closer due to lockdown as she does Vera’s shopping.

“Bring me back a surprise,” she says. “What a responsibility! I keep my fingers crossed it will be what she likes.”

Added Eileen: “Vera is very clever with her fingers, completing many beautifully embroidered pictures, crocheting intricate table runners and sewing all of her own clothes, and those of her two sons, Bob and Blair. I got to thinking wouldn’t it be lovely if her name was mentioned in The New Blackmore Vale.”

“She makes sure to remind me the week it comes out and she reads it all through: it keeps her informed of the local news. What a lady. She is very kind and understanding and is so proud of her sons and family.”

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.