Newark woman celebrates 100th birthday among family and friends at Bowbridge Court Care Home

A WOMAN, who has spent most of her life in Newark, turned 100 this week.

Kathleen Treharne, who has lived in Newark for 98 years, celebrated her 100th birthday at Bowbridge Court Care Home.

A tea party, organised by her daughter, Jennifer, saw friends visit from as far as Shropshire and North Yorkshire.

Guests were offered a buffet of nibbles and Kathleen was treated to two cakes ­— one from Jennifer’s friend Pauline and the other from the care home’s chef.

Kathleen, who lived in Bridgend for two years with her husband, said the secret to a long and healthy life was keeping busy.

She said: “I like knitting. I used to knit for the children in The Gambia but my eye sight isn’t as good as it was so now I just knit squares. It’s important to keep your fingers moving or they will go stiff.

“There’s exercising on a Tuesday morning and sometimes singers come in, so there’s always something to keep myself busy.”

Kathleen, who made woollen baby items for 17 years but stopped when she had Jennifer, said that it was lovely to see so many people on her birthday.

She said: “If it wasn’t for my daughter I wouldn’t be here today I don’t think because she has looked after me so well and I don’t know what I would do without her.

“She arranged all this and it’s so nice to see so many people here.”