LEADING a happy life surrounded by wonderful family is the key to longevity according to one war-time baby who celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday.

Vera Oaten was joined by family and friends from across the region to mark the special occasion, and even welcomed a visit from the Mayor of Swindon, Andrew Bennett.

The Swindon-born and bred mum-of-four reached the milestone on Wednesday, October 30, and celebrated surrounded by guests at the party, which featured music from each decade she has lived along with many photographs from her life placed around the hall.

On arriving at her party at the Ellendune Community Centre on Saturday, she said: “It is lovely to see so many people here, a bit overwhelming. I was very surprised to see everyone when I came through the door.”

Vera was mum to four children, but sadly Brian and Marilyn passed away a number of years ago, leaving only Sandra and Michael. She does however have 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 14 great, great grandchildren and nine great, great, great grandchildren.

She attended Clifton Street School and was a member of the Girl Guides for a number of years. On leaving school she had a number of jobs, notably working at Morses department store. She remembers vividly the Second World War hitting Swindon.

“It was rather frightening," she said. "Every night at quarter past seven you had to get the children ready to go out in the dug-out in the next door neighbours garden because bombs would come over head. This is when we lived in Drove Road. It was all very scary.”

Daughter Sandra O’Connell, 71, said one of her fondest memories of her mother was when she used to work as a conductress on the Bristol Buses, which were based in Old Town.

She said: “Me and my sister used to go on the Cheltenham run – she always made sure that we had a ticket though. It used to be the windy roads all the way, there weren’t the big roads we have now back then.

“I think it was the banter she enjoyed and going to places – all of the different villages and towns, she just loved the job. She was a very sociable person, and very friendly she got on well with a lot of the passengers – and she had all the regular passengers that she knew well. There used to be no street lights so she had to walk to work and home again in the dark – this was when we lived in Moredon. She has never stopped working.”

Speaking of her time on the buses Valerie said: “It was the best time of my life, you met so many nice people.”

Enjoying the party atmosphere at the celebration, Sandra said: “It means so much to us to be celebrating her 100th birthday; I prayed and prayed that she would reach it. I believe that in her bloodline she is the first one to reach 100.”