100-year-old celebrates birthday (From Borehamwood Times)

100-year-old Nellie Cummings celebrates birthday

8:40am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News By Anna Slater

The years have been kind to 100-year-old Nellie Cummings who said she “does not feel a day over 21.”

The centenarian celebrated her birthday at Shenleybury House residential home, in Black Lion Hill, Shenley, yesterday.

Surrounded by her friends and family, Mrs Cummings was spoilt with flowers, presents and a cake.

The former St Albans resident said: “I have had a lovely day and have really enjoyed my birthday party and my cake.

“I am excited to have made it this far. I have had a good life and my hundredth birthday has certainly been one of the highlights.

“I received a telegram from the Queen this morning and I was really over the moon because I have been a keen royalist all my life.”

The eldest of four children, she spent her childhood looking after her brothers after her mother died during childbirth.

She then went on to work for the Salvation Army, where she met her future husband George.

When he passed away in 1970, she spent her time getting involved in church activities, helping out with Sunday school teaching.

Nellie joked that one of her greatest achievements was surviving two of the wettest summers in history – 1912 and 2012.

She added: “I am really happy today. I do not feel a day over 21.”