A STILL-beautiful centenarian was treated to a surprise party by her loving family on Wednesday (August 19) to mark the marvellous milestone.
Gladys Taylor, who is a resident at Southcrest Nursing Home, was surprised by 20 of her closest family and friends for a buffet party.
The great grandmother of seven, who also has six grandchildren, was married at 23 and lived in both Batchley and Crabbs Cross with her husband Jack – whose surname, interestingly, was also Taylor.
She said: “This is lovely – I am looking forward to spending the day with my family.”
The 100-year-old received a congratulatory card from HM The Queen and showed her sharp sense of humour when she asked her children if Her Majesty had included a cheque in the envelope.
Daughter Susan said her mother had insisted she did not want any fuss on her big day but said Gladys would have been cross if the family had not planned any celebrations.
Adrian, Gladys’ son, added: “She told me off for being late as usually I’m here at noon but we were a little later today for the party.”
Gladys started working as a fly-dresser at 14, tying the artificial fly used by fly fishing anglers, and made the fishing rods themselves until the war put an end to her employment.
“It was a nice little job,”she added. “I enjoyed it very much.”