A RESIDENT of a Chepstow care home was surrounded by family and friends for her 100th birthday celebrations.

Edith Head was born in Tredegar in 1917 and has lived at the Severn View Care Home in Mounton Road, Chepstow, for the last two years.

Around 50 attended the celebration which included a special cake and a buffet prepared by staff at the Monmouthshire Council-run home.

Edith started part-time work at the age of 12 cleaning a farmhouse and after leaving school at 14 she became a parlour maid in Brighton,

She later worked in

a boys’ reformatory school in Barry and after a spell in the Women’s RAF, she worked in a munitions factory before training as a nurse in Merthyr Tydfil.

She was based in Ebbw Vale Hospital and subsequently became a nursing sister at Panteg Steelworks in Pontypool.

Edith has a son and daughter who visit regularly as well as three grandsons and five great grandchildren. 

Daughter Kaye Watson of Caldicot said: “We’d like to thank the staff at Severn View for the standard of care offered to mam. 

“The family are always given a warm welcome when we visit.”

Monmouthshire’s head of care, Kim Wallace who manages Severn View, added: “Celebrating Edith’s 100th birthday, her telegram from the Queen, sharing in the family’s happiness and pride, seeing the joy on Edith’s face as she shares special moments with the youngest members of her family – it’s what matters most to all of us here at Severn View;

“This really is an extraordinary day and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of Edith’s extra special birthday.”