A PENSIONER will celebrate turning 100 today with her first ever birthday party.

Aston resident Ivy Morris, who attributes reaching the milestone to a pint of cream milk every day, said she was more used to marking her birthday with a trip to the theatre.

In her full century, Miss Morris says she has never had a proper birthday party.

But today she will be joined by about 70 friends and neighbours at the Fellowship Centre in Cote Road, as she holds her very special gathering.

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Miss Morris, who has never married, said: “I’ve never had a proper birthday party before because we didn’t go to parties – we just went to the theatre for a treat instead.

“I’ve managed to get to 100 because I’ve been early to bed and early to rise, with plenty of fresh air, no smoking or drinking, and a pint of full cream milk every day. That’s what I had when I was a tiny baby and needed a lot of nourishment so I’ve kept going with the full cream milk.

“I’d definitely recommend it, but I don’t think many people would like it. It’s not very exciting, is it?”

Miss Morris was born on October 8, 1914 as the only child of William George, who worked all his working life for London Underground, and Alice Maud.

She was born in a rented farm cottage in Hayes, West London and grew up in Hounslow, attending Hounslow Heath Elementary School and The Green School in Isleworth.

Miss Morris worked as a cost clerk at EMI music and publishing from 1931 to 1969.

The “love of her life”, Garnet Newbury, worked in a factory during the Second World War but died from pneumonia, aged 28.

After going on to live in West Drayton, Miss Morris moved to Kingsgate sheltered housing accommodation in Aston in 1979.

She is a devout Christian and was helped in finding accommodation by the Baptist Union, which ran the facility before it was taken over by Catalyst Housing.

In 2008, Miss Morris broke her hip in a fall, but after it was replaced she was back home within a few days.

She still does her own washing and ironing, and walks a quarter of a mile about twice a week to shop at Aston Stores. It has only been in the last few years that carers have had to help her cook.

Until two years ago she attended the monthly Wednesday Club at Cote Baptist Chapel, which included lunches and trips.

She said: “There’s a lot of nice people and fresh air here, as well as lovely gardens at Kingsgate.

“I’ve been very happy here all along.”

Kingsgate shaltered scheme manager Jackie Hooper said: “She’s an absolute delight to look after and looks amazing.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and have seen a huge difference in her, but she’s still going strong.

“She keeps us all on our toes. If something is wrong she tells us it’s wrong. Ivy is a one-off and very well respected here.”

The party will be held today at 3pm and will include her favourite waltzer fairground music and buffet food, including sandwiches and sausage rolls.

Events in october 1914

October 1: 33,000 troops from Canada, mostly volunteers, sail to Britain to fight for the Commonwealth in the First World War
October 5: A German two-seater Aviatik flying above Rheims, in France, becomes the first plane shot down by another in the First World War
October 12: The first battle at Ypres, Belgium, begins. 46,765 people will be either killed, wounded or missing in action by November 22

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