Bowbridge Court Care Home resident, Edna Dobney, celebrates 102nd birthday with family, friends and the Mayor of Newark

A care home resident has celebrated her 102nd birthday with family, friends, and the Mayor of Newark.

Edna Dobney, who lives at Bowbridge Court Care Home, Newark, turned 102 on October 2 — and received a visit from the Mayor, Pamela Ball, on Monday.

Edna enjoyed a slice of cake, donated to the Mayor by Waitrose for the occasion, and tea in real china tea cups — which she said definitely make it taste better.

She said: “I think it’s lovely, its so nice for the Mayor to come and see me.”

Being 102, she explained, felt no different to being 101.

“I’m quite normal and I’m quite happy” she added.

Being happy is her secret for a long life, she revealed and said it was ‘all you need’.

Edna is still as witty as ever, and delighted in recounting how she was discovered to be a look-a-like to the late Queen when she received her 100th birthday card, thanks to their similar hairstyles.

The Mayor added: “It’s been absolutely amazing to see Edna and she is obviously very well cared for and healthy.

“I’ve heard some amazing stories from her about her and her husband growing flowers, and it is lovely that she said her secret to a long life is being happy — it is so important.”

Edna moved to Newark just a handful of years ago, having lived independently until she was 100 years old.

She spent most of her life in Spalding, Lincolnshire, where she and her husband of 65-and-a-half years, Cyril Dobney, were tulip and daffodil growers.

Edna met Cyril while working as a barmaid at The Hole in The Wall pub in Spalding.
She said: “He came in for a drink on a Sunday with his friends, and came back on Monday to see me.”

Her birthday month has been full of celebration, starting with a family Sunday Lunch at the Tawny Owl pub and a surprise tea party at Bowbridge Court, with treats donated by Bakkavor.

She said: “When I came in and saw all the tables set up it looked lovely.

“I’ve had someone mention my birthday every day of the week, it has made me very happy.”