A resident at a nursing home in Helston has celebrated her 107th birthday with a special party and a performance from a much-loved Cornish singing group.
Staff from Godolphin House organised the party for resident Mildred Jepson (nee Lester) on Sunday (July 30) to celebrate her birthday. She was joined by her grandchildren, other residents, and Godolphin House staff.
Not only did Mildred receive a special birthday card from the King and Queen, but a performance from the Cadgwith Singers.
Mildred joined with her family on her birthday (Image: Kathy White)
Sarah Woodhouse who is the activities coordinator at Godolphin House told the Packet: “It was such a lovely day.
“Mildred was absolutely delighted and was so touched by people’s cards and gifts. Other residents also enjoyed it, and the family appreciated it.”
Mildred was born in Woodlands four miles from Doncaster on July 30th, 1916, during the First World War.
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Some 24 years later in 1940, she married Albert Jepson, a construction engineer who helped the war effort by working on the Mulberry Floating Harbour, built in Falmouth.
Mildred with her great-grandchildren, Milly and Freddy (Image: Jenny Calvert-Corp)
Two years later, Mildred and Albert welcomed their baby daughter, June. During bomb raids in the Second World War Mildred hid under the stairs with June on her lap as they couldn't access their bomb shelter because the keys had been lost.
Albert then joined the Navy, and Mildred went to live with her mother-in-law until the war ended in 1945.
The Cadgwith Singers join in with the celebrations (Image: Kathy White)
The couple moved to India for eight years in 1950, with Albert working for the third biggest steelworks in the country. They returned to England to run a pub, before Albert died in 1978.
Mildred then decided to move to Cornwall in 1998 to be closer to her daughter June who passed away in 2007.
During her life, Mildred has travelled to various countries around the world and enjoyed knitting until arthritis began to affect her hands.
Mildred's granddaughter Jenny told the Packet: “She made some amazing creations for the family, especially her four great-grandchildren when they were babies.
“Until her sight started to fail, she also had a passion for reading and would get through at least a book a day.”
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