By Saul Cooke-Black

A WELL-KNOWN resident in Stonehouse has celebrated her 105th birthday.

Joyce Coates celebrated the special day at the Regency Retirement Home with nieces Jill Middleton and Jackie Williams on Tuesday.

Born in Stonehouse in 1910, Joyce has lived in the town all of her life.

One of two children, her father owned a cobblers shop in front of the home in the High Street and made and mended shoes for a living.

She married her sweetheart Len, a farmer in Stonehouse, and the couple bought their own place, next door to Joyce’s parents home.

The couple never had children but were happily married for many years.

Joyce set up a hairdressing salon called Annettes which she managed herself.

She has never been abroad, instead preferring Torquay as her favourite holiday destination.

In 2008, Joyce said: “I loved my house in the High Street.

“I knew all the shop keepers and locals and they all knew me.

“I would regularly go to Stroud by bus and meet my friend Madeline.

“I had two good friends, Brian and Dawn, and I would go with them in their car to Minchinhampton for an ice-cream or to Arlingham by the canal for fish and chips.”

Her other hobbies included going to church, singing and playing the piano.

In June 2008, Joyce moved to the Regency Retirement Home in Regent Street, Stonehouse, which she joked was like a hotel.

She was happy to find the retirement home has a resident cat, her favourite pet.

She added: “I am fond of all the staff and grateful for their devoted care.

“They have become my family.”

Niece Jill said: “She is a great character and always has a smile on her face.

“She enjoys the simple things in life; food, cats, the sunshine.

“I have never known her get miserable.

“She enjoyed blowing out the candles and is still convinced she is 37.”