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Kate Manterfield and Marjorie Jones were born on the same Sheffield street and have been pals for 85 years, with their friendship lasting through World War Two and outlasting both their marriages.Marjorie, aged 89, emigrated to Canada in 1952, but the pair kept in touch, phoning and writing regularly and taking turns to visit each other every year. They reunited at Kate's 90th birthday party at the Rutland Hotel in Broomhill.Kate and Marjorie were both born on Nottingham Street, Pitsmoor, and attended the same Sunday School. They both married in 1942, Marjorie to husband Elwyn at Crookes Baptist Church, and Kate to entertainer Leslie Manterfield at All Saints Church, Brightside.Leslie performed as a magician, appearing on cruise liners such as the QE2, and also took his act to The Moor in Sheffield as part of an event called The Moor The Merrier.Kate later joined him, making up the duo The Manterfields."I used to sing, and also I did a memory act on my own," she said. "He was very well-liked."Majorie was a bridesmaid at her friend's wedding day - but Kate was unable to return the gesture as she was fulfilling bridesmaid duties at her brother Ralph's wedding.After working for Sheffield accountants Poppleton and Appleby for 40 years, Kate set up her own hairdressing business at home, which she ran until the age of 82.Marjorie was a comptometer operator at Peech and Tozers steelworks before setting off for Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. She has two children, Glenys, 60 and Trevor, 52."She's lived in Canada for over 50 years, but she's as English as I am," Kate said. Kate has a son, Ralph, 65, who lives in Heeley, Sheffield."It doesn't feel like my 90th birthday," she added. "We've been in touch for a long time. I've never heard of a friendship that's lasted as long. Some people don't even live that long, but we've managed to keep going. Marjorie celebrates her 90th in October, and is planning to take a ride in a Lancaster bomber.
