Reaching the grand age of 100 is always cause for a celebration, knowing two centenarians is doubly fantastic but living with three? Well, that’s just being greedy.

Some might suggest there must be something in the water at The Hollies Residential Home in Gravesend where a third resident has just celebrated the landmark birthday.

Great-great-grandmother Florence O’Dwyer is the latest to join the home’s ‘100-Plus Club’.
Fellow members are George Huggins, who celebrated his 104th birthday on Tuesday, and Alfred Hickmott, who will turn 103 on Friday.

But the birthday bunting won't be away for long as the care home in Darnley Road is looking forward to a fourth 100th birthday in six months’ time.

It is certainly an achievement to be proud of, although the celebrations prompted one resident to tell staff he felt the place was too old for him. He is 96.

Florence hit the century-mark in February and is the matriarch of five generations.

A party was held for the mother-of-six at the home, where she was joined by many of her 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Florence moved to The Hollies two years ago to be near her family, having been born in East Ham, east London, and living most of her life in Mottingham, south east London.

It was in Mottingham that she and her husband ran a greengrocer’s and Florence put her longevity down to hard work.

Daughter Theresa Johnston, 69, who lives in New Barn, said: “It really is. They had the greengrocer’s for 40 years in Mottingham, living above the shop, and worked very hard.
“They were very poor as children and she worked all her life.”

Despite her age, Florence still enjoys getting out and about, especially for shopping trips to Bluewater.

Her daughter also thanked staff at The Hollies for helping her mum to settle in. “It’s a wonderful residential home and we are very grateful to them.”

Great-grandfather George Huggins is believed to be one of Gravesham’s oldest male residents.

Even at 104 he insists on wearing a shirt and tie every day, dressing himself and walking with a stick that barely touches the floor.

He was born on March 8, 1912, lived in Gravesend and, having left school at 14, joined Couves solicitors in the town as an office junior.

It was a legal career that would last more than 60 years and saw him becoming a legal executive, specialising in conveyancing and probate.

George also served in the Royal Army Service Corps and married Rose Hockley while on leave in 1941. They had one child, a daughter, Jill, who also lives in New Barn.

His wife died unexpectedly from an asthma-related illness in 1971, aged 58.

George never remarried and stayed in the family home in Gravesend until he moved into The Hollies in July 2012.

George, who has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, credits being a non-smoker and a non-drinker for his longevity.

He also had some unusual advice about ageing when he proclaimed at his birthday last year: “Don’t grow old.”

Fellow centenarian Alfred Hickmott is a shade younger than George, but equally impressive when it comes to growing old grandly.

Born and bred in Northfleet, he worked for Gravesend Welding Works and then Imperial Paper Mills in Northfleet, but also served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

As a fitter, he was responsible for dismantling aircraft in Wales before being flown out to India to reassemble and service them, as well as maintain airfields.

While on leave in 1942 he married his wife, Nancy, whom he met at a dance hall in Gravesend. She died in 2000.

After the war, Alfred returned to IPM where he became master papermaker in charge of four machines and stayed until his retirement.

“I had a wonderful time there, had a wonderful life, and been all over the world” said the great-grandfather, crediting his grand age to looking after his health.

Even at the age of 100, the father-of-two was riding his exercise bike and carrying out chores and DIY jobs at his home in Old Perry Street, Northfleet.

He only moved to The Hollies in December.

Owner Peter Rogers said: “He had been in hospital after a fall and wasn’t walking. Now we can’t stop him. He is all over the place.”

Whether or not there is something in the water, there is definitely a family tie, for it is Alfred’s daughter’s mother-in-law who will be the next resident to turn 100.

Mr Rogers, whose youngest resident is a youthful 77, is delighted to be hosting yet another party.

“Care homes get a lot of bad press but we work hard to give our residents the life that they deserve,” he said. “They have certainly earned it.”