One of Britain’s oldest women has had parking ticket ripped up – after hobbling back to her car from a lunch-date 13 minutes late.
Bessie Farnworth, 107, popped out for lunch last month with great nephew Dave Holland, using her blue badge to park in a disabled spot at the Aldi supermarket in Tyldesley, near Wigan
Frail widow Bessie enjoyed their meal and catch-up before Dave carefully escorted her in her zimmer frame back to the car.
Bessie Farnworth, 107, pictured, enjoyed a lunch with her nephew Dave in Wigan when she received a parking ticket having taken too long to return to her car following the food
Bessie, pictured with her late husband Tom, was 13 minutes late to return to the car
Fortunately the fine was waived when staff at the parking company discovered her age
But two weeks later car park operators ‘Parking Eye’ sent them with a £70 fine for over-running their free three-hour stay by just 13 minutes.
Now Parking Eye have apologised and cancelled the ticket ‘as a gesture of good will.’
Yesterday Dave explained: ‘My aunt Bessie was born before the Titanic was even built.
‘She’s an incredible woman. She was independent until the age of 106.
‘She did all her own cooking, cleaning, shopping. She even did her own gardening.
‘She’s still active but she’s a slow walker. I think at her age the fact that she can even get out in public and have her lunch is remarkable.
‘She should be able to park there as long as she wants. I think it’s disgusting we’ve got this fine.’
Bessie only reached 107 years-old on Monday, October 30 and was showered with presents, cards and flowers.
She was treated to a party at her retirement home with a singer performing songs from the 1940s and 50s and a buffet which included a specially-made cake.
Bessie, who received a birthday card from the Queen for the fourth time after previously getting one for her 100th and the last two years, was also treated to lunch on the day with relatives.
Dave and Bessie were parked in Aldi car park in Tyldesley, near Wigan when they were ticketed
Son Wilf, 74, said: ‘Her youngest great-grandson, Peter, is 100 years younger than her which is amazing really.
‘My mum is very well-liked at the care home her because she is always having a good laugh with the staff. She still keeps herself active.’
Bessie married husband Tom at Central Methodist Church on Bolton Road in Atherton in May 1941 and was with him until he died at the age of 90 in 2004.
The great grandmother-of-four worked in Woolworths in Leigh, Greater Manchester, including during the Second World War.
In 2011, she starred in a Channel 4 programme when celebrating her 100th birthday with a helicopter ride.
Earlier today proud Dave said his great aunt is still ‘active’ and lived on her own until last year, when she opted to move to Hillcrest Retirement Home in Tyldesley.
Since then Dave has taken Bessie out once a week for lunch, an occasion which brings them both happiness.
Dave added that his elderly relative is treated local celebrity when they go out: ‘Everyone knows her.
‘People want to shake her hand and she gets flowers off strangers. I have told Parking Eeye she is one of the oldest people in Britain!’
Parking Eye have since apologised for any upset and said they will ‘drop the fine as a gesture of good will.’