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4 AUGUST 2022
Beatty’s 105th birthday party
Beatty Orwell celebrated her 105th birthday party with family friends and volunteers from Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Community Centre
Former Mayoress and Councillor of Tower Hamlets, Beatrice Orwell – known as Beatty, celebrated her 105th birthday at home on 7th July, surrounded by family, friends, staff and volunteers from Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Community Centre, where she has been a member for many years. A real Eastender, Beatty was born in Aldgate in 1917. She proudly recalls taking a stand against the fascist blackshirts at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936. Beatty is also the oldest member of the Labour Party and was surprised with flowers and a letter from the Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, and received good wishes from former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on the occasion of her birthday. In his message, Sir Keir Starmer wrote to Beatty on behalf of the Party, saying, “Congratulations on your milestone birthday, the oldest member of the Labour party we’ve ever had. Wishing you the happiest of 105th
birthdays and the warmest of thanks for all that you have done for our party.” Beatty was also delighted to receive her 105th birthday card from Her Majesty the Queen, together with flowers and gifts from friends, staff, volunteers and members of Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Community Centre. As a birthday surprise, The Friends of Stepney Committee organised music and entertainment with Beatty’s favourite entertainer from the centre, Ian Leigh, to sing her favourite songs at the party in her garden. “It was truly a great party,” says Beatty’s daughter, June Legg, “Mum had such an amazing birthday. Ian sang all her favourite songs and she was singing along with him. “As a family we can’t tell you how much we appreciate the efforts of the Committee in making this a truly memorable day and one which will always live in our hearts. It was great to see all the staff, past and present
who made such an effort to be there, in be- with the staff. tween delivering dinners. She spent many “It gives me immense pleasure to wish years with the Jewish Care family, they have our dear and truly remarkable Beatty warm always been so kind and attentive to Mum. wishes for her 105th birthday,” said Janet. We can’t thank you enough and long may “Beatty and her devoted family are truly your good work continue.” inspirational and all her many friends send Beatty is supported by Jewish Care’s ser- their love to her on her very special day. vices and is very close to her loving family It was truly a wonderful day for the most who take turns to stay with her, and in more remarkable woman I am ever likely to meet recent times, Beatty has received Jewish in my life, so I feel very privileged.” Care’s Meals on Wheels, befriending and June added, “We are immensely proud of outreach services and the centre volunteers our Mum. She has had a very eventful life. organised her birthday entertainer at home. Born in humble surroundings in the East Beatty joined Jewish Care’s Brenner Step- End of London, she worked hard all of her ney Community life, but along the Centre in her 80s. way she met the The centre is at Queen at Buckingham Palace the heart of the and had tea at 10 community and Downing Street, the only centre which really isn’t supporting the bad for a girl last remaining from Petticoat members of the Lane! We had a older Jewish community in the very interesting East End. Beatty upbringing, our has many close whole life was politics.” friends who are Beatty celebratmembers, staff Beatty 22 years old with John Orwell and thier daughter, June, as ed her birthday at and volunteers a baby in 1939 who are in touch though Beatty is no longer home this year, where she lives with the evable to physically get there. er-loving support of her three children and Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care’s Chief extended family which includes 12 grandExecutive, said, “The Jewish Care communi- children, 19 great grandchildren and eight ty wishes Beatty Orwell a very happy 105th great, great grandchildren. Beatty and her two sisters were brought birthday. We’re so pleased that Beatty was able to celebrate together with family, up in East London by their mum who taught friends and volunteers from our Brenner them to be strong and independent. She spent Stepney Community Centre this year, as much of her working life as an over-locker in she has done many other years before. She a men’s trouser factory and made uniforms inspires an abundance of love, warmth and for soldiers. She married John Orwell and sense of community by all who know her. A together they had three children. She has been involved in local politics for truly, remarkable person and centenarian, Beatty has always stood up for what she be- as long as she can remember and was elected as a local councillor in Tower Hamlets. lieves in and is a role model to us all.” Janet Foster who chairs The Friends of In 1966, Beatty’s husband, John, served as Stepney Committee and has known Beatty Mayor of Tower Hamlets and the two used all her life, also gave her good wishes to Be- their political influences to help shape the atty on behalf of the Committee, together local area.
Aish UK bring Bombay to Camden for 100 young professionals Aish Young Professionals enjoyed a ‘summer finale’ in Camden Market as they hosted an Indian themed social and networking event for over 100 young Jews to round off a jam-packed year of events, classes and trips. With live music, a delicious buffet and scannable wristbands that unlocked interactive activities, icebreakers and a Jewish general knowledge quiz. Reflecting on the finale of a very successful year, department head Rabbi Eli Birnbaum said: “Over the past year we have gained a reputation as the place to come to enjoy relaxed, relevant and welcoming events. We take pride in our ability to deliver Jewish wisdom to young professionals across the UK in a way that is relatable, exciting and most importantly - with a variety of styles and content to suit our broad demographic.”
Aish YP Bombay dreams Group
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