Friendly Tuesday Club helps to celebrate member's 105th birthday

Rene Boyce - a member of The Friendly Tuesday Club arrived at Antrobus House yesterday (Tuesday, October 10) with her granddaughter Karen to find the hall had been decorated especially for her and was filled with her friends who all wanted to help her celebrate her 105th birthday.  

Rene and her granddaughter Karen (Image: Annette J Beveridge)

Read more: Dogs Trust issues warning ahead of firework season

Rene was greeted warmly by everyone and they all sang Happy Birthday to her as she arrived.

Chairman Andy Derry, who had been instrumental in helping to organise the event, was unable to attend but sent her a special birthday message which was read out to her. 

When seated at the table, Rene who is originally from North London said: "People have been so nice. That's when you realise a little help is worth a ton of pity. I am very lucky. I do appreciate my friends."

Rene received cards and a special birthday cake.  

Read more: Train line to be closed for 16 days

Birthday Cake (Image: Annette J Beveridge)

Rene moved to Durrington in 2009 and lives only a few doors away from her granddaughter. 

She said: "My son said to me before he died, 'Move to Durrington Mum, I want you to make me a promise, that you will go and live in Durrington. It's so friendly.' "

Rene has seen many changes during her lifetime.

At the birthday celebrations (Image: Annette J Beveridge)She reminisced: "I never got to meet my father. He was killed in the first war. My brothers and sisters are all gone but I have ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild."

Rene had recently had her photo taken with all the generations of her family and expressed her pleasure at watching quiz shows and reciting poetry.

She recited old favourite poems to her friends at the table - the same poems she had told to her children when they were very young including Mr Giraffe and The Lunatic.