East Grinstead care home resident celebrates 100th birthday with visit from the Mayor

An East Grinstead care home resident has celebrated her 100th birthday with a visit from the local Mayor while surrounded by family and friends.

Molly Viles, born in Brimstone, Gloucestershire in 1924, has enjoyed a series of birthday events at HC-One's Charters Court, located in East Grinstead, West Sussex.

Molly's milestone birthday was celebrated on April 24, 2024, with a delicious afternoon tea, specially prepared by catering staff at the care home.

She was also delighted to receive her centenary birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Molly was joined in her celebrations by Frazer Vissor, the Mayor of East Grinstead, who presented the birthday girl with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

He said: “It is an honour and a pleasure to share this very special day with Molly, I have really enjoyed meeting her and her family and hearing stories about her life.”

Molly's first job was working in a factory making parts for aeroplanes during the Second World War.

She then worked for Fine Fair Supermarket in Filton, near Bristol, for over 20 years on the delicatessen counter and at the checkout where she enjoyed chatting with customers and helping them with their shopping.

In 1947 she married Eric, who initially worked in the police but moved on after his retirement from the force to become PR Manager for Concord in Bristol.

Molly and Eric had two daughters, Jenny and Anne, and she also has four grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and even one great-great-grandson!

When asked for her secret to a long life, Molly said: “A little of what you fancy does you good!”

And Molly has held true to this by enjoying a small glass of sherry and a packet of crisps every day.

Mel Wightman, Charters Court Care Home Manager, said: “We’ve had a wonderful few days celebrating Molly’s big birthday. It’s been lovely chatting with her about her life and memories, along with her friends and family.

"It was also very kind of the Mayor of East Grinstead, Frazer Vissor, to visit Molly on her special day as well, she was very pleased to see him. Congratulations to Molly on reaching this milestone, and hopefully many more still to come!”.