EVIE CELEBRATES A CENTURY!

Mrs Evelyn Varle, known as Evie, a resident of Bupa’s Brierton Lodge Nursing Centre, Hartlepool, Cleveland, is looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday on Sunday 1 November. Friends and family will hold a party on the Sunday at the family home, with Bupa’s Brierton Lodge hosting a birthday celebration on Monday 2 November with staff members dressing in fashions from 1909 to present day. Evie was born in Hartlepool on All Saints Day in 1909. The daughter of Robert and Maud Jones, she had two brothers, Bobbie and Alfie. As a child, Evie grew up in the Old Town of Hartlepool. Her father, professional boxer Jasper Carter owned a gymnasium and trained many aspiring boxers, including Jack London and Evie’s future husband, Tommie (Nipper) Varle. Evie and Tommie married in 1935 and moved to Dunstable, Bedfordshire, where, in 1938, their first son Malcolm was born. For the duration of World War II Tommie served in the Royal Air Force whilst Evie helped the war effort by working at A.C. Delco, a large engineering firm. A lover of sport, Evie captained the ladies hockey and cricket teams and in 1946 her daughter Stephanie was born. Evie continued to work and undertook a number of catering courses, when in 1960 she and husband Tommie entered the licensed trade, running the Rifle Volunteer and latterly the Victoria public house. Evie became a committee member of Luton and Dunstable Ladies Licensed Victuallers Association where she undertook fundraising and charity work for the organisation. Evie continued to work and drive until the age of 86, helping her son Malcolm in his business. At the age of 92 she moved back to Hartlepool to live with her daughter and her family, and moved to Brierton Lodge in 2007 at the age of 98. Carol Barnard, home manager at Bupa’s Brierton Lodge Nursing Centre, says: “We are delighted to share this special occasion with Evie. We hope she enjoys the celebratory parties and all the staff are looking forward to dressing up for the occasion. It will be a really special day for her to spend with her friends and family.”