It’s happy birthday to Nell, 105, f rom Royal Wootton Bassett (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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It’s happy birthday to Nell, 105, f rom Royal Wootton Bassett
10:00am Friday 15th June 2012 in Royal Wootton Bassett By Stella Taylor
Nell Garrett with, back row, from left, stepson Philip Garrett, son-in-law Geoff Taylor, Philip’s wife Jill Garrett, grandaughter Gill Foord and great grandson George Foord; front, town crier Owen Collier and mayor Mike Leighfiel
Sprightly Nell Garrett, who has spent most of her life in Royal Wootton Bassett and lived independently until four years ago, celebrated her 105th birthday with a flurry of visitors, cards and good wishes.
Members of her family travelled from Truro in Cornwall and Royal Leamington Spa and Mrs Garrett was especially thrilled to be greeted by town crier Owen Collier and the mayor, Mike Leighfield, who presented a bouquet of summer flowers and spent half an hour or so chatting with her.
Mrs Garrett has a remarkable memory. Although deafness is a problem these days she takes a keen interest in local life and events and is devoted to her family in whom she delights.
Mrs Garrett (nee Tuck) was born at Coxstalls just along the road from her present home at Ridgeway House and was one of a family of four.
Later the family moved to Whitehall Lane and she was married at the age of 20 to Reg Upton, a railway signalman. Their only daughter Barbara, born in 1930, passed away a year after Mrs Garrett’s centenary.
She was widowed in 1948 and subsequently she married Eddie Garrett, a widower with two grown up daughters and a young son Philip. Sadly she was widowed again a week before Mr Garrett was due to retire.
She was president of the Sisterhood, which used to meet at Wood Street United Reformed Church.
At Ridgeway House she enjoys regular church services arranged by the Methodists and always contributes a helpful prayer. She enjoys playing cards and likes to sit in the garden on warm sunny days.
“Really this has been a wonderful day and the town crier showed me the crowns on his uniform buttons,” she said. “ I also had a lovely card from the Queen.”
