Four parties for Bognor Regis centenarian

The 15 members of the Laburnum Centre’s choir delighted Gladys Barnard with Velia by Franz Lehar when she arrived for the occasion.

Mrs Barnard sang in the choir until two years ago when she switched to the Friday calligraphy lessons. She also goes along to the Lyon Street centre to its hairdresser on Tuesdays.

She said: “I’ve been a member of the centre for the 15 years I’ve lived in Bognor. I can’t believe where the time has gone so quickly. I’ve always found the people here to be friendly and very nice.”

She was given an honorary membership of the centre to celebrate her status as its oldest member.

The party on April 3 – with a homemade cake forming the number 100 – was followed by another last Thursday held by Mrs Barnard’s neighbours in the High Street. A further party was given by her daughter and three grandchildren on her birthday on Easter Sunday. The celebrations end with a fourth bash for those who couldn’t make the others.

Mrs Barnard attributed reaching 100 to a moderate life-style and taking care of herself.