Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Celebration and cheer was in the air in Crowthorne last month when a resident of Carlyle Court turned 105.

Elsie Herbert, who is one of the borough's oldest residents, celebrated her 105th birthday in style with champagne and cake at the Bracknell Forest Borough Council run sheltered home, where she has lived for 20 years.

A tea party with Elsie's friends was held at Carlyle Court, Crowthorne, on Friday, April 27, two days before her birthday on Sunday, April 29.

Elsie moved in to the sheltered home in 1987 when she was 85-years-old and has since made many friends with both residents and staff who pulled out all the stops to make her 105th birthday special by laying on cake, champagne and music.

Angie Pryke, Scheme Manager of Carlyle Court, said: "Elsie's lived here for some time and has many friends who wanted to wish her a very happy 105th birthday. It's not often that people get to celebrate such a milestone birthday and so we wanted to make sure it was extra special for her.

"The residents and staff had a great time celebrating and Elsie was thrilled so many of her friends had come along to wish her many happy returns."

Elsie who has lived in the borough for most of her life was the daughter of a police sergeant who pounded the streets of Sandhurst for many years when she was young. She has been married twice during her life both to men she met while working at the Crowthorne-based hospital.

Staff at Carlyle Court say that Elsie puts her long life down to having married twice, which kept her young, but having no children to run around after.

Cllr Clifton Thompson, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest said: "On behalf of everyone in Bracknell Forest I'd like to wish Elsie a very happy, although slightly belated, 105th birthday ."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ Crowthorne