Gwendoline has 100th birthday

But by Wednesday Gwendoline Huband was ready to have fun again and enjoyed a party at the Normanhurst Hotel where she lives.

She invited her carer Katherine Richard as well as past carers Debbie Ramshaw, with daughter Chloe-Anne, and Jenny Gearing, with her little girl Shannon.

Also there were friends Phyllis Gerreli, from Pett, and John and Kathy Freedman from St Leonards.

Her guests could not speak highly enough of her.

"She is everyone's favourite resident," said Debbie.

"She is a pleasure to look after."

Jenny commented: "She is just lovely - very friendly, like everyone's Nan."

Katherine added: "She has got a very good sense of humour, and she is not very easily shocked. She is very open-minded and very youthful."

Gwendoline was born in Smallheath in Birmingham, one of four children. When she left school she started office work at Halford Cycles where she stayed until she was married to Eric at the age of 22.

The couple lived in Solihull until after the war when they moved down to Surrey because Gwendoline's sister lived in Guildford. They settled in Godalming where Eric worked as an accountant, and were married 42 years when he died.

She has lived in Bexhill for 12 years and said: "I enjoy being here. I get good attention and that is the reason I am so well. I am very well looked after by the carers - they look after me so well and it is such loving care I get here."

Her visitor Phyllis commented: "She has always been very sociable and caring for other people. She is always happy to listen - that is why she gets on so well with the carers, because they can talk to her and she will listen."

They enjoyed cake made specially by the hotel chef and other nibbles, while Gwendoline described her party the day before as "marvellous", as she was joined by nephews, nieces, and their families, and old friends from Godalming.