Elvy Court resident Violet Spence celebrated her 103rd birthday with family and staff at the Sittingbourne care home on Friday.

One of 13 children, Violet is a mum of three and has six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Her son, Derek Southern, 80, said she’s led a challenging, but interesting life, which included a four-year spell as landlady of the Woolpack pub in Iwade from 1959.

He said at times she was often too honest for her own good.

“My mum was someone who would criticise a neighbour and call them lazy if they didn’t have their washing out by 10 in the morning. She had it quite hard during the war, but we never went short.

“She kept chickens, rabbits and ducks and preserved fruit which she grew on an allotment, for not only us, but our neighbours as well.”

“Mum wasn’t a drinker, even though she ran a pub, but she liked the odd nip of brandy. She’d even give it to the chicks to revive them if they didn’t look good.”

“Right up until her 90s she was knitting blankets for charity." She has been resident at Elvy Court in London Road since 2008.

Derek said: “She still talks about things and mentions her father from way back. It was a small gathering for her birthday, but she would certainly have appreciated it.”