An ‘inspirational’ Burnham-On-Sea pensioner has celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and visiting local dignitaries.
Peggy Bessant received her traditional card from The Queen and a telegram congratulating her on the milestone.
While she was unable to celebrate her birthday on her big day last Tuesday because of a hip operation, the spritely pensioner still celebrated her milestone in style with friends, family and several special visitors at the weekend.
She was congratulated by Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey, town crier Alistair Murray and Deputy Mayor Cllr Andy Brewer alongside friends and family.
The centenarian celebrated with a glass of Babycham and a slice of her special celebration cake.
Peggy has lived in Burnham-On-Sea for 23 years and said: “I love Burnham, it’s such a friendly place. I have lots of friends here, including many at the U3A where I’ve been a member for many years.”
Asked what her secret to old age is, she told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I love to make people happy and put a smile on people’s faces! Life’s too short to be complaining or negative.”
Peggy added: “I have a terrific imagination and love to write poems, and I hope my collection of poems will be published next year – I have piles of them.”
Peggy was born in Fontwell Magna, Dorset in 1917. She was one of five children and her father was a cheesemaker at a nearby dairy.
She left school at 16 and wanted to be a nurse but couldn’t do it until she was 18 so took on a role helping to take care of two children in the home of a semi-retired admiral.
That experience served her well during the Second World War when she worked at a children’s hospital in Sherbourne. She married and had two sons.
Cllr Andy Brewer said: “She’s so inspirational, a really lovely person who certainly does not look or sound like someone who is 100 years old!”
Pictured: Peggy Bessant with Burnham-On-Sea’s town crier Alistair Murray, Deputy Mayor Cllr Andy Brewer and MP James Heappey as she celebrated her 100th birthday at the weekend and her grand-daughter Seren Thomas
