A Great Dunmow care home resident celebrated her 104th birthday surrounded by friends and family.
Hettie Irene Wilson, who lives at Croft House Bupa Care Home, turned 104 on April 8 and enjoyed a day of reliving her youth.
She started the day with a visit from her son Trevor, and then the home's activity coordinators took her out to see the local sites where she used to cycle when she was younger, including her childhood home.
Activity coordinator Angeline Wilson said: "It was a lovely sunny day, so we decided to take Hettie out to relive some of her fondest childhood memories.
"She was so pleased to see the house where she grew up and the lady who lives there now came out to say hello and invited Hettie to visit any time, it made us all a little bit emotional."
Following her trip down memory lane, Hettie enjoyed her favourite meal of roast beef with Yorkshire puddings from the Saracens Head Hotel and Restaurant.
The hotel manager arranged for the meal to be specially brought in for her, and the staff decorated the table and made a special birthday dessert.
Hettie also received a visit from the deputy mayor Mike Coleman, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers and stayed for a surprise tea party at the care home, which was prepared by the kitchen staff.
In her 104 years, Hettie has had a life full of adventure. She grew up on a farm, and used to love country walks, cycling and dancing.
She worked on her family's farm for many years, and later became a seamstress. Hettie has also been married twice and is mother to one son.
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In her retirement, she now enjoys socialising with her fellow residents at Croft House, basketball, arts, crafts and gardening, and having a glass of sherry to toast the day.
Hettie said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday; it was wonderful to spend the day surrounded by my lovely family and friends.
"I was thrilled to have toured my old cycle spots and childhood home; it brought back lots of nice memories.”
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