Frinton pensioner Edna Nash celebrates her 101st birthday

Edna Nash, who lives in Frinton, marked the milestone on August 29, surrounded by her family and friends.

Her great-granddaughter, Maddie Hamilton, 23, said the occasion was filled with smiles and happy reunions.

"She was very smiley and very happy to see everyone," she said.

Among the guests was Edna's close friend Indira, with whom she has shared a friendship spanning around 40 years. The pair spent part of the day reminiscing about trips to America they had taken with their partners.

Miss Hamilton said: "She really enjoyed the day and was talking to everyone, but mostly, was very happy to see Indira because that was a nice surprise for her."

Born on August 29, 1925, on a farm in Great Bromley, Edna moved to Ingatestone at the age of two when her father joined the police force.

Her working life began early. At just 13, she took a job in domestic service as a live-in maid, working from 6am until 10pm for five shillings a week.

By the age of 16, she had joined Marconi's as a driller, helping to manufacture chassis for Spitfires during the Second World War.

Edna met her future husband, John Lennard, known as Len, when she was 15. The couple married at Chelmsford Registry Office when she was 17 and later settled in Great Holland, where they raised their two sons, John and Alan.

Over the years, Edna worked in a variety of roles, including vegetable picking and packing, home help, cleaning, newspaper delivery and caring work before retiring aged 84.

Following her husband's death, she continued to live independently in Frinton. She drove until she was 93 and used a mobility scooter until the age of 99.

Miss Hamilton said: "She still makes her own cups of tea and she still gets up every day and follows the same routine."

Edna's family now spans five generations, including two grandchildren, Hazel and Duncan, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, Tommy.

The celebrations were not without a light-hearted mishap. When a door was opened, one of the "1" balloons escaped, briefly leaving Edna with a "10" display instead of the planned "101".

Despite turning 101, Edna is showing little sign of slowing down. She recently went bowling with relatives and beat the rest of the family.

Miss Hamilton said Edna's determination, resilience and strength meant relatives had every confidence she would reach her latest milestone.

"She is very inspiring and all of our family call her 'the best Nash'. I think that sums her up quite well," she said.

"I think she's quite proud that she's managed to get to 101."

The 101st birthday celebration brought together five generations to honour a remarkable woman whose life has spanned more than a century of change, from building wartime aircraft to maintaining her independence well into her later years.