Spirit keeps Lillian 'young' (From Stroud News and Journal)

Spirit keeps Lillian 'young'

AFTER living through two world wars, the reign of five monarchs and within 11 different decades, Nailsworth resident Lilian Ferrier last week celebrated her 100th birthday.

Great-grandmother Lilian turned 100 on Thursday, September 1 with a celebratory party.

She said: "I've lived through two world wars.

"I was only nine year's old in the first one and the food was awful - it was much better in the second one because we had rationing.

"I don't feel 100 - sometimes I do especially when I have health problems but generally I don't feel that old."

Lilian moved to Nailsworth from Portsmouth - where she spent most her life - to be near her son Glyn and daughter-in-law, Jennifer, after her husband died.

She said that being a dedicated Christian has helped her keep her youthful spirit because she believes it gives her something to look forward to every week.

At the party, Carol Bennett - scheme manager at the Concorde sheltered housing complex in Nailsworth, where Lilian lives, - presented her with a bouquet of flowers from all her friends and neighbours.

She said: "Lilian really is great - she's so energetic and still very active, she's often more lively than I am."