PRE-CHRISTMAS celebrations at a Caterham care home included the district's oldest resident celebrating her 107th birthday.
Marion Wales was born in the Australian outback – but it was a more cosy setting when the great-great-grandmother, and third oldest person in Surrey, marked her latest birthday on Monday (December 17).
She enjoyed a sip of champagne and a sliver of a special cake made in her honour at the Elizabeth Court care home in Grenadier Place, where she lives.
Mrs Wales proudly showed off a telegram from The Queen and enjoyed a reception with relatives and home staff.
When asked for the secret of her long life, she attributed it to taking it each day as it comes – and her hardy upbringing.
Her daughter Valerie Dunmore, 77, of Bradmore Green, Old Coulsdon, said: "Mum was born near Melbourne, where they had to get by on about one bucket of water per week.
"As a youngster she would hike in the mountains and go paddling in lakes containing snakes.
"I think it toughened her up and has contributed to her life.
"Apart from a replacement hip and one bout of pneumonia, she has been such a healthy person."
Mrs Wales, whose career as a teacher included a 12-year spell at Wolsey Infants' School in New Addington, has three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She formerly lived in Lodge Road, West Croydon, and Deans Walk, Old Coulsdon, before moving to Elizabeth Court in June.
Mrs Wales was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the home on Monday.
The birthday cake – with a chocolate sponge interior, a cream cheese lining, and strawberries on top – was made by the home's chef, Oren Zamir.
Elizabeth Court's activities coordinator, Ann-Marie Williams, said: "Marion is an amazing woman.
"She loves Chanel perfume, and has lovely long hair which she likes having put up for her.
"In the summer, she enjoyed doing a bit of sketching in our garden.
"It was a pleasure to help her celebrate her 107th birthday."
Landmark events in Mrs Wales's birth year, 1905, included the founding of Chelsea and Crystal Palace football clubs, the first protest by Suffragettes, and the final run of the London to Brighton horse-drawn parcels coach.
