Secret to a long and happy life? 'Stay busy,' says Horsham woman,100

That’s the advice of long-time Horsham resident Cynthia Tisman, and she should know for Cynthia celebrates her 100th birthday on April 25.

And she’ll be marking the milestone in style with a special afternoon tea at South Lodge Hotel with around 45 guests comprising family, friends and neighbours.

Among them will be one of Cynthia’s nieces who has travelled to Horsham from the USA to join Cynthia’s centenary celebrations.

Cynthia has lived in Horsham for nearly 50 years having moved from London with her husband Derek in 1977. She worked at a number of jobs locally before being appointed as secretary to the managing director of the West Sussex County Times where she stayed from 1982 to 1989.

Her son Andy said: “She has been very involved in voluntary work for most of her adult life, being an active member of St John Ambulance for many years; and since moving to Horsham she worked for the Samaritans, was very involved with fundraising for Chase Hospice in Guildford and worked with Victim Support, Meals on Wheels with the WRVS, and Roundabout Talking News – reading the West Sussex County Times onto tape for sight-impaired people.” Cynthia and Derek were also active members of Horsham Probus Club for many years.

As well as Andy, Cynthia has another son Peter who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 40 years but visits the UK at least two or three times a year. Sadly Cynthia’s husband Derek passed away in March 2016, just short of his 92nd birthday.

Maintaining close relationships with family and friends is among the important things that Cynthia recommends for a long and happy life – as well as keeping busy and active.

For Cynthia, this has included walking, travelling and swimming. “She was even swimming in the sea from a boat on a trip to Malta when she was 93,” said Andy.