On 9 October 2022 local resident Mrs Betty Honeysette Mintz celebrated her 100th birthday! Betty, who lives with her daughter Linda Witten, was a hairdresser for 65 years, only retiring when she moved to Henfield in 2001.
During the Second World War, Betty was a Land Girl, although her daughter described her as "all blonde hair and fingernails"! Betty met Linda's father, a Canadian soldier stationed in Sussex, and married him in 1944 when she was excused from duty. She was an English war bride and sailed to Canada in August 1945 where Linda was born in 1947. They returned to the UK for family reasons in March 1948, three months before The Windrush.
To celebrate her birthday, Betty's family collected donations from family and friends in lieu of presents and their aim was to collect enough to plant 100 trees in the National Trust Tree Fund which will still be here in 100 years' time. They've actually collected enough for 200 trees which they are very pleased about! The trees will be planted at Nymans in Handcross as an extension to an existing wood.
Regrettably, since the death of the Queen, Buckingham Palace have paused the sending of 100th birthday cards and have no plans yet as to when to resume this special service from the King. Betty will hopefully eventually get a belated 100th birthday card from the King soon!
Congratulations Betty on your 100th birthday and thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us.