ONE of the orignal members of the Victoria Centre in Lydney celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

Stella Edwards is still a regular at the lunch club and at Tai chi sessions.

She says the secret to a long life is simply to “keep on breathing.”

Mrs Edwards moved to Lydney in 1996 after the death of her husband, Ted.

They had met in her native Northampton when Mr Edwards went there to work.

She was born in the town on March 13, 1919.

They married while he was in the Royal Air Force and then returned to Chepstow where he worked as a gardener.

After bringing up four children, Mrs Edwards joined him in their market garden business at The Lookout in Chepstow.

“I helped with the driving. “We grew a few things and used the wholesale markets at Gloucester and Cheltenham.

“We had a stall at Newport Market.

“It was hard work but enjoyable in a way.”

When her husband retired, Mrs Edwards took a job as a check-out operator at what was then the Londis store in Beachley Road, Sedbury.

She said she enjoys her time at the Victoria Centre.

“I’ve been coming to the lunches for about 10 years and I’m the only original member left from the Friday Club.

“It has grown over the years which is nice.

Speaking at the Victoria Centre, she said: “This really is the most marvellous place.

“Everyone is wonderful here.”

Mrs Edwards said she is beginning to feel her age.

She said: “Until six months ago everything was fine but age does creep upon you.”