WELLINGTON resident Grace Trovel has celebrated her 100th birthday with music and a feast organised by the Wednesday Club at Lodge Close.

Surrounded by her son, David, granddaughter Helen, and many long-time friends, Grace blew out the candles on her birthday cake on Wednesday, May 7, following her actual birthday on Monday, May 5.

Grace's grand-daughter Helen, Susan Bellingham, and Grace's son David, stand with the woman of the hour
Grace's grand-daughter Helen, Susan Bellinger, and Grace's son David, stand with the woman of the hour (Tindle News)

She said: “I’m tired at the moment. I’ve had something on every day.

“I had afternoon tea on my birthday and people have been calling me non-stop, people that I haven’t seen in years.

“I’m really lucky to have good friends. But you’ve got to work at it haven’t you. These are all people I’ve got to know since joining the club.

“Oh, 100, I can’t believe it. I will carry on as I am doing.”

Organised by the Wednesday Club - of which Grace has been a member for more than 20 years – Ms Trovel’s party featured a homemade Madeira cake with lavender icing (Grace’s favourite colour) which was made by friend Yve Wallbridge, live music, a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla, and a special birthday lunch cooked up by Susan Bellinger.

Grace Trovel and the maker of her birthday cake Yve Wallbridge
Grace Trovel and the maker of her birthday cake Yve Wallbridge (Tindle News)

Yve said: “She’s so lovely, she really is. She’s always so grateful for everything you do for her.”

Susan added: “I’ve known her for over 20 years, since she joined the Wednesday Club. It’s great to be able to do something to celebrate the occasion with her.”

Grace was born on Tuesday, May 5, 1925. She lived through, and remembers much of, the Second World War and was just 20 when VE Day took place.

She grew up in Essex, where she spent much of her life until she more moved to Wellington, where she now lives with her son and close by to her granddaughter Helen.