She celebrated her century surrounded by family and friends
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07:33, 28 JUL 2026
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Reaching 100-years-old is an incredible achievement but then Audrey Blackaby is no ordinary woman.
Having trained as a hairdresser when she was a teenager, the former Abbey Green resident went on to have a career that did not end until she was 75-years-old.
Born and bred in Nuneaton, Mrs Blackaby, then Audrey Hickey, decided she wanted to be a hairdresser and was an apprentice at Olwyn Morris.
She went on to run her own successful salon, Audrey’s on Manor Court Road.
The now centenarian went on to become a technician within the hair and beauty department at what was then North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.
But she still had a passion for being a hairdresser, so she went mobile, cutting, curling and perming hair until she was 75-years-old.
This is something her daughter, Carol, is extremely proud of.
“She didn’t stop until she was 75, she loved hairdressing,” she said.
“She went through all of the styles and fashions from pin curls to perming.”
Audrey was married to Harry Blackaby who, for a while, co-owned a garage in Abbey Green. They lived in the area, where they had their first and only child, Carol, before moving to Fenny Drayton, the village just outside of Nuneaton.
Sadly, Audrey was widowed aged just 35, leaving her to bring Carol up alone.
“She worked extremely hard, she always has,” Carol added.
Away from her hairdressing day job, Audrey enjoyed Antiques Fairs and often had her own stall at events across the area.
Now in her well deserved retirement she enjoys being surrounded by her family, including granddaughters Hannah and Katie , who turned her 100th birthday on July 5 into a weekend of celebrations with ‘cake and bubbly’ at her home in Fenny Drayton.
The celebrations were made extra special by the card she received from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
“She has always wanted a card from the then Queen, and now she has one from the King proudly displayed in a frame,” Carol added.
Asked what her secret was to reaching 100, Carol said: “She said she didn’t really know but said she has always followed rules and regulations such as when her parents always said’ ‘Don’t be late in at night’ and she always let them know what she was doing.”
Special 100th birthday celebrationsAudrey with her special birthday cake. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton. (Image: Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.)1 of 4ShareComments
Special 100th birthday celebrations
Audrey with her special birthday cake. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.
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Special 100th birthday celebrationsAudrey during her 100th birthday celebrations. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.2 of 4ShareComments
Special 100th birthday celebrations
Audrey during her 100th birthday celebrations. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.
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Special 100th birthday celebrationsAudrey celebrated with friends and family. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.3 of 4ShareComments
Special 100th birthday celebrations
Audrey celebrated with friends and family. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.
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Special 100th birthday celebrationsThe specially framed card from King Charles. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.4 of 4ShareComments
Special 100th birthday celebrations
The specially framed card from King Charles. Image courtesy of Hannah Norton.
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Nuneaton
King Charles III