A CHAMPION of the rural community has reflected on her 100th birthday celebrations.
Olive Clarke, who was born on May 19, 1922, celebrated her 100th birthday last Thursday.
During her life Olive has had a life-long commitment to rural issues across Cumbria and has been actively involved in various public and organisational roles.
On Thursday, May 12 birthday celebrations began with more than 100 members of the Cumbria Westmorland Federation of Women's Institutes (WI) met for a delicious afternoon tea at The Villa Levens to celebrate and honour their honorary president.
READ MORE: Community celebrates 100 glorious years of Cumbrian 'trailblazer'
On Sunday morning at Kendal Cricket Club more than 100 past and present members of Cumbria Young Farmers Clubs (CYFC) gathered to show their love and respect for the matriarch of the young farmers movement in the county.
Edward Dungait, chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC), attended to present Olive with her newest accolade. This was recently voted for unanimously at the NFYFC Annual General Meeting in April.
Olive delivered an extraordinary speech detailing her time in young farmers and experiences growing up in a very different world to what we live in now. She credited young farmers for their hard work in times of need, such as during floods and most recently stewarding at the Covid vaccine clinics.
A traditional English oak tree has been planted in recognition of Olive’s birthday and her involvement with The Westmorland County Agricultural Society.
Westmorland County Agricultural Society Chief Executive Christine Knipe has known Olive since 1974 and paid tribute to an ‘exceptional lady’ who has lived through ‘exceptional times’. “In the agricultural circles she has been a trailblazer. She was the first female Chairman for the Westmorland Federation of Young Farmers and President of Cumbria Young Farmers in 1980.”
Reflecting on her birthday celebrations, Olive said she was 'moved' by the number of people who wanted to celebrate her life.
READ MORE: 'Trailblazer' Olive Clark celebrates her 100th
She said: "This is not an exaggeration, I feel very humbled. I have received hundreds of birthday cards I could weep with pleasure and I mean that. I have been very moved."
Olive said that she is 'grateful' for the life she has lived and very grateful for her family.
On Thursday, May 19 an open house was held at Olive's home where people could come and wish Olive a happy Birthday.
Olive was visited by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria Claire Hensman and former Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, James Cropper to deliver a special birthday card by The Queen.
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