Mary’s surprise birthday party

Ushered into the ballroom, Mary thought she was going to have a quiet little family do to mark her 70th birthday. Instead she was greeted with cheers and applause from a crowd of 150 people who gave her a standing ovation and sang a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’.

Flanked by her husband, Ernie, who was chief instigator of the event, and with her granddaughter Annie gripping her left hand tightly, Mary posed for photographs with her family before finally collapsing into a red and gold ‘throne’ while well-wishers queued to congratulate her and show her with gifts.

It was only then that the new septugenarian noticed the huge screen displaying a slideshow of photographs and some were somewhat less than flattering which had her squealing with embarrassment. They included one of Mary and Ernie in a photo booth kissing on the Twelfth, and the birthday girl dressed and ready to head out for one of her daughter’s hen nights - complete with bunny ears and a grin of pure naughtiness! All aspects of her life were marked, from her baby photographs, through her youth, they charted her life as a young woman and included her courtship and marriage, the arrival of her own family and her grandchildren.

A buffet was served prior to which the gathering was called to order as Mary’s brother, John Throne, was introduced - having travelled from the USA just for the occasion.

Mary’s youngest daughter, Heather, piped in the huge birthday cake with gusto and had everyone clapping in time as Mary blew out the candles.

The event went on into the small hours with speeches and dancing to The Spangles.