A Swindon care home resident has celebrated turning 100 in style. 

Born in Hertfordshire in 1924, Beryl recently celebrated her centenary with a black-tie party at Swindon’s Cotswolds Rise care home.

“I don’t feel like I am 100 years old!” Beryl said. “The key to keep going in life is to keep your mind active and not to think about what is happening around you. I am so blessed to have what I do.”

She added that as she turns 100, she plans to “get on with life and take each day as it comes.”

According to her daughter Jean, Beryl continues to go for walks every day, having kept active from a young age. She played netball, took home medals for swimming, and won a cup for ballroom dancing.

Beryl married her husband at age 21, and their shared love of dancing continued throughout their 66-year marriage. She continued with her secretarial work after the birth of her three children.

An adventurous and independent spirit, Beryl enjoys travelling abroad, especially to South Africa to visit her sister who is now 97 years of age. She maintained her garden at home, along with cooking and baking for herself, up until the age of 98.

Her daughter Jean said: “Mum puts her longevity down to keeping fit and hard work.”

“Mum has always been very stoical, making her move to Cotswolds Rise an easy transition. She has nothing but praise for the staff and enjoys the company of her fellow residents. She involves herself in all the activities – her favourite being the exercise class of course!”

Beryl also loves music, so Cotswolds Rise invited a singer to perform live music at her black-tie party. 

For the event, Beryl wore a purple floral dress and a sash that read “100 & Fabulous”.

Care home manager Gurmeet Ubhie said: “The whole team at Cotswolds Rise was so happy to have the opportunity to celebrate Beryl’s 100th birthday with her. I’m very proud of the staff, residents, and family members who all gathered to make the day special for Beryl.”

Centenarians only make up 0.02% of the UK’s population, according to the Office of National Statistics.