A LITTLE honey a day may just be the secret ingredient to leading a long life, according to the family of 108 year old Gwladys Roberts.

Last Friday Gwladys, who lived in Drimpton for most her life, celebrated her 108th birthday surrounded by family and friends at Fairfield House Residential Care Home in Lyme Regis.

Gwladys’s son, Bill Roberts, said: “The day went very well.

“She enjoyed seeing everyone and we all had plenty of tea and enjoyed the cake. Afterwards, she had her tuna sandwich which she always likes.

“My cousin and her husband were over from Vancouver and mum’s carer came and the staff at the home were there. She’s outlived most of her friends, but some friends came in over the day.”

April Robinson, receptionist and administrator at Fairfield House, said: “I feel very honoured to have been a part of Gwladys’s 108th Birthday and celebrating her day.

“Gwladys is an incredible and admirable lady and a true inspiration.

“A massive thank you to Heather at Fancy That Cake company, in Beaminster, who did the cake, it tasted and looked amazing.

“We are planning a trip down the seafront for a belated birthday cream tea.”

Gwladys was born in 1908 in Llandudno, in North Wales.

She worked as a telephonist before marrying her husband Arthur in 1939, and becoming a mother and moving to Drimpton.

Mr Roberts said: “She was in the WI and was a housewife and joined the church as the organist for 30 years.”

Gwladys was an integral part of the community as church organist at St Mary’s Church in Beaminster, and lived in her home in Drimpton until she was about 105.

Mr Roberts said: “She was still going for for walks all the time.

“Unfortunately, three or four years ago, she had a stroke and had to go into a home. We picked Fairfield House and she likes it there.

“We take her out in the garden and she likes playing cards and being active. She loves the sea and likes to look out of the window.”

So just what is Gwladys’s secret?

Mr Roberts said: “She never smoked and always did a lot of walking.

“She uses honey for everything and puts it in her tea, maybe that is something to do with it!”

On her 107th birthday last year, Gwladys put her long life down to not having lots of ‘men friends’ and excitement in her life when she was younger – as well as being a keen walker.

“The secret is being a good girl and not having much excitement” she said.

“I just had a lovely home, lovely parents and a big family with four sisters.

“I have good memories of happy days at my home. I wasn’t one of the naughty girls - I had no men friends.

“I used to walk miles and miles when I was younger, I absolutely loved it.”