A 103-year-old woman has revealed the secret to her longevity, which involves bingo and dancing to TikTok videos. Speaking to Lincolnshire Live, Joan Thompson - who turns 104 in June - recalled her childhood of climbing trees and "Christmases as very different to now".
Joan, who now lives Cloverleaf Care Home in Lincoln, was born in 1919 and was one of 13 children. She left school at just 14 and moved away to begin a new life caring for children with learning difficulties.
Soon, World War Two broke out, with her husband Ron being called up for action. Before leaving, the pair narrowly missed being hit in a German air raid, hiding under a tree to avoid being spotted - with Joan clinging so hard her fingernails were embedded in the bark.
As Ron was away at war, Joan ran a guest house in Devon before joining the WRAF (Women's Royal Air Force) as a telecommunicator, decoding secret messages. Ron and Joan survived the war and went on to live many happy decades together.
Though Joan had several interesting jobs, she has one favourite. She said of all that she's done, bringing up her two children, Jacqueline and Christine was by far and away the best.
Joan's secrets to living past 100
Joan puts her long life down to not drinking, not smoking and always keeping active. She says: "I love doing things – I don't like being idle."
The centenarian still enjoys regular activity and dancing is her favourite alongside playing bingo. Not afraid of trying the latest new trend, Joan even loves making TikTok videos with care staff, regularly doing new dances.
Hayley Mitchell, of Cloverleaf Care Home, said: "Joan is an inspiration. When I hear about her life and having to be around in the war. I think she's an absolutely lovely resident. Joan always takes part in activities, it doesn't matter what it is. She's a joy."
According to the projections, approximately 13.6 per cent of boys and 19 per cent of girls born in the UK in 2020 are anticipated to reach the age of 100 or older. These figures are projected to rise again, with 20.9 per cent of boys and 27 per cent of girls born in 2045 estimated to reach at least 100.
