RESIDENTS at Peter Furkins Court cracked open the bubbly for a double celebration yesterday as the 30th anniversary of the opening of the home coincided with one remarkable woman’s 106th birthday.

Iva Evans, who has lived at PFC for the past 20 years, marked the impressive milestone with a special party for friends and family.

Surrounded by well-wishers, the birthday girl said: “I have done very well to get to this age. I put it down to the odd glass of sherry or two every now and then.

“I feel very good in myself and it’s great to see so many people here today.”

Iva’s son John Evans, 69, said: “It’s brilliant to see how well she’s doing. She has been lucky because she has managed to keep all her faculties – she’s still very sharp.

“It really makes a big difference if you can hold a conversation at that age, and she still enjoys playing bingo and watching football on the TV.”

The lounge was filled with decorations and birthday cards, and a big table adorned with cakes and bottles of Lambrini stood in one corner.

Mother-of-two Iva, who grew up in Shropshire, said: “The secret to a long life is sherry, no question about it.”

She moved to Swindon when her son, Raymond, who also lives in Peter Furkins Court, moved to the town.

John added: “When she turned 90 she developed shingles and we thought this could be it. But she just went on and on after that. I don’t know what she’s on but it’s amazing.

“We don’t even think about whether she’ll make the next one, we just assume that she will.”

The day was doubly special because it was the 30th anniversary of the opening of Peter Furkins Court, with all the money raised from the day’s activities going straight to the Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal.

More than 500 people have lived at PFC throughout the years and it houses a wide age range – from 30 to 106.

Resident Maureen Gist, 80, who has been at PFC for the past 10 years, said: “It is wonderful to be able to have a celebration like this. We absolutely love this place.

“Iva is a diamond. She still plays bingo and she knows exactly what she’s doing.”

Bringing the laughs was 64-year-old Chris Mackie, who took to wearing a tutu and a bright pink wig to put smiles on people’s faces.

“A couple of ladies bet me that I wouldn’t dare wear a tutu for the 30th anniversary, but here I am,” said Chris.

“I don’t often dress like this, but it’s a good laugh and all for a good cause. Iva is wonderful and she still knows how to have a laugh. Long may she keep doing it.”

David Culley, who has lived at PFC for 30 years, wished Iva all the best and said she was a “lovely lady” who is “very kind and caring”.

Peter Furkins Court is a sheltered housing scheme providing social housing for elderly and vulnerable tenants with physical and mental disabilities.

Using the day to raise funds for Brighter Futures, residents sold plants, home-made cakes and books and held a raffle and tombola.

Over the past seven years the tenants have raised more than £12,000 for various charities.