THE village of Kilve turned out in force on Saturday (August 1) to celebrate the special birthday of its oldest resident.

More than 40 people, including members of the village choir, made a surprise appearance outside the home in which Grace Thorne has lived for nearly 70 years, to mark her 100th birthday with a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’.

Some of the Kilve villagers who sang 'Happy Birthday' outside Grace Thorne's home on the occasion of her turning100 years old. PHOTO: George Ody.
Some of the Kilve villagers who sang 'Happy Birthday' outside Grace Thorne's home on the occasion of her turning 100 years old. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

Kilve's Grace Thorne surrounded by family for a celebration of her 100th birthday. PHOTO: George Ody.
Kilve's Grace Thorne surrounded by family for a celebration of her 100th birthday. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

Grace’s granddaughter Helen Thorne said: “It was a wonderful surprise because the family had no idea it was going to happen.

“My gran was really touched by the way the village rallied round to celebrate her big day and said she loved every minute of what was a wonderful day.

“Despite her age, she is very bright, full of life, and still lives independently in her own home.

“She really appreciated the effort everybody made to give her a special day.”

Kilve village crier Simon Blackley congratulates birthday girl Grace Thorne on turning 100 years old. PHOTO: George Ody.
Kilve village crier Simon Blackley congratulates birthday girl Grace Thorne on turning 100 years old. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

A family gathering, which included Grace’s son Jeff, grandchildren Helen and Mark, and five great-grandchildren, was augmented by friends, neighbours, the village crier Simon Blackley, and even two police community support officers.

In a speech of congratulation, Mr Blackley said: “Grace has lived from the days of horses and carts to the digital age.

“How many people can say that?”

Born in Bridgwater, Grace left school at 14 years of age to work in Kilve Court, then a private house, and eventually became housekeeper, before retiring aged 65.

Local police congratulate Kilve's Grace Thorne on her 100th birthday. PHOTO: George Ody.
Local police congratulate Kilve's Grace Thorne on her 100th birthday. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

Many residents in Kilve turned out to walk to the home of the village's oldest resident, centenarian Grace Thorne, to sing 'Happy Birthday'. PHOTO: George Ody.
Many residents in Kilve turned out to walk to the home of the village's oldest resident, centenarian Grace Thorne, to sing 'Happy Birthday'. PHOTO: George Ody. (George Ody)

She met her husband Sam in Kilve Court, where he worked as a gardener, who died aged 69 shortly before the couple would have celebrated 50 years of marriage.

So, what is the secret of reaching a century?

Helen said: “When we asked gran, she just said ‘keep going and keep moving, the moment you switch off mentally, everything stops’.

“It certainly seems to have worked for her.”