Brid mayor gets big surprise on 80th birthday
Family and friends gathered for a surprise 80th birthday party for the mayor Coun Michael Charlsworth. (PA1301-8)
A SURPRISE was in store for Bridlington’s mayor as he celebrated his 80th birthday this week.
Coun Michael Charlesworth is pictured surrounded by family, friends, neighbours and fellow town councillors at a surprise afternoon tea which was held in honour of his milestone birthday at the Expanse Hotel, in Bridlington.
The idea for the surprise party came from his son Tim Charlesworth, who organised the birthday bash, paid for by the family.
Also present was Coun Charlseworth’s daughter Karen Stainforth, while his other daughter Janet Ramsey, was unable to attend as she lives in New Zealand.
“It was a total surprise. I have always relied on my son, he never lies to me, but he did lie to me on Saturday.
“He told me he had booked lunch for 2.30pm and I was trying to work out who did lunch at that time of day,” Coun Charlesworth said.
But when he arrived at the Expanse Hotel, where he was met by two pipers, he soon realised there was going to be a bit more to this particular lunch meeting.
Around 50 people attended the special occasion.
“I was totally gobsmacked, completely taken aback. I have never been quite so emotionally affected in my entire life,” he said.
His grand-daughter Samantha Scarlett, who travelled to Bridlington from Leeds where she is currently studying at university, said it came as a complete surprise to him.
She said: “He was just completely overwhelmed, he just couldn’t say a word.
“He just grabbed me and hugged me and didn’t know what to say.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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