101-year-old celebrates birthday with two glasses of red (From Borehamwood Times)

101-year-old celebrates birthday at Wilton Lodge, Shenley

5:08pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Anna Slater

Judging by her zest for life, you would think Nellie Thrower had just celebrated her 18th birthday.

That is because her stylish dress sense and her confident personality might fool you – she has actually just reached the ripe old age of 101.

She toasted her landmark birthday with a glass of red wine in each hand, surrounded by fellow residents of Wilton Lodge retirement home, in Black Lion Hill, Shenley.

The mother-of-three, who has outlived two of her children, said: “I had a lovely day yesterday but I do not feel like I am 101-years-old, that seems ancient.

“They say you are only as young as you feel and if that is the case, I am still only 18-years-old.”

The grandmother-of-five, who was born in Battersea, said the secret of living for so long is “a glass of whiskey and a chocolate bar every afternoon”.

Mrs Thrower was married to her husband, hospital worker Leanord, for 75 years before he died in 2010. The pair retired at Wilton Lodge together in 2008.

She has fond memories of Shenley in the 1930s, and even remembers shaking Queen Mary’s hand when she visited the village to open Shenley Hospital, Black Lion Hill.

Reflecting on her life, she said: “I was a wicked flirt when I was younger, I still am mind you.

“I loved ballroom dancing after I first got married. I remember ditching poor old Len on nights out to go dancing.

“All I can say, is here is to another hundred years.”