A former landlady at a village pub has celebrated her 109th birthday, sparking claims she could be Shrewsbury’s oldest resident.
Chip Russell celebrated her birthday with her family at a party at the White Horse in Pulverbatch and was joined by her 96-year-old sister Vera Cassells who travelled up for the day from Oxfordshire.
And despite her grand old age, Chip still has a pub lunch with her family every Saturday, including a gin and tonic.
Chip was born in Shenley in Hertfordshire in 1899 and moved to Shrewsbury from Hastings during the Second World War. She was the landlady of the former Railway Inn at Dorrington for around 30 years with her husband Stanley who died in 1975.
Chip Russell with her younger sister Vera, aged 96.
Chip has lived in Radbrook for the past 30 years. She reached the landmark birthday on November 16.
Chip’s only son John died in March aged 78, and she has three grandsons Michael, Ian and Paul and four great grandchildren Stephen, Romana, Jayne and Emma.
Grandson Paul said: “We believe Chip is the oldest woman living in Shrewsbury. She’s got a great sense of humour and she still gets about the house, although she is struggling a bit with her knees these days.
“She still enjoys coming out with the family in her wheelchair for lunch.”
• Do you know anyone older than Chip? Call the Chronicle on 01743 283313.