Eastbourne woman turns 100 during lockdown: ‘I always like to keep smiling’

Elizabeth Hughes celebrated the momentous occasion at Sunrise of Eastbourne care home, in Upper Kings Drive, on her big day on Monday (May 4).

She said, “It was excellent. They did their very best. We had a very large cake and were able to have two pieces each.

“It was really lovely and very cheerful.”

The celebrations also included Champagne and Elizabeth’s favourite song You Are My Sunshine was played.

She received a ‘very nice card’ from the Queen and said her secret to longevity was ‘enjoying every moment’.

Elizabeth said, “I always like to keep smiling to make others happy. I think keeping happy is the main thing.”

Born in Southend in 1920, she moved to Eastbourne five years ago and has made scores of friends.

These include Patricia Anderson, who she met in Hamilton House care home in Upperton Road.

Due to social distancing measures, Patricia wasn’t able to wish her friend a proper Happy Birthday, but they waved to each other through the window.

Patricia said, “Elizabeth is a wonderful lady, she is always ready to greet any new residents and to make them feel at home.

“She is loved by the staff and is always so cheerful. She loves playing carpet bowls, and until recently took part in keep fit classes.”

Read more: {https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/people/elderly-eastbourne-couple-coronavirus-keeping-each-other-going-2843067

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.