THE big lights will go on for Rose Huntley as she celebrates her centenary today (Thursday January 21).

St Mary’s Church in Potterne is nearby, and church helpers are going to flick the switch to light up the outside of the old church for Rose to have a look at on her big day.

Lifelong Wiltshire woman Rose Ellen Huntley is 100 years old today.

Mrs Huntley was born in Mildenhall, Marlborough and has lived in Potterne for 52 years.

She has enjoyed a long and interesting life, having worked in service, had a stint in the Land Army in the war amongst an array of other local jobs.

She found time to bring up a family of eight children, including six boys and two girls. She has 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

“She can’t walk too far these days, so the church lights going on will cheer her,” said daughter Jenny.

“They will put the lights on for donations. We are also hoping to get some of the family to wave from outside her house to her, and maybe one or two neighbours can wave from the garden too.

“We can’t do too much for her because of Covid though, which is a shame.”

Mrs Huntley enjoyed gardening very much until a few years ago, planting vegetables. She now has some help from a gardener to keep things tidy in the garden and keeps herself busy with word puzzles.