FRIENDS and family gathered at Eastington Village Hall to celebrate Betty Barnfield's 100th birthday.

Mrs Barnfield received a letter from the Queen and celebrated her landmark day with a tea party at the Eastington venue. 

She requested no gifts for her birthday and instead asked for donations to be made to the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Born in Bristol, Mrs Barnfield moved with her family to Frampton-on Severn in 1922, where she attended the Saul British School before moving back to Bristol in 1929.

She attended Eastington Village School and regularly worshipped at St Michael and All Angels Church where she became a chorister, and she remained in the choir for 49 years.

Mrs Barnfield was also called up to help with the war effort at Sperry Gyroscope at Bonds Mill in Stonehouse from 1942 to 1954.

She married Bob Barnfield on May 29, 1948 after he returned home from Burma at the end of World War Two.

Mrs Barnfield celebrated her birthday party with her three children, Gregory, Elizabeth and Michael, and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

40 family and friends attended the birthday party altogether. 

Mrs Barnfield was also a member of the Royal Voluntary Service and she delivered meals on wheels in the Stonehouse area for 34 years.

She was a dedicated member of the Eastington Branch of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section and she was the organisation's treasurer for 43 years.

Mrs Barnfield says she still enjoys doing crosswords and listening to music and discussing books.

Her granddaughter, Kate Turner, said her grandmother was thrilled to receive a birthday card from the Queen, and thoroughly enjoyed her party.

Kate added that her grandmother would like to thank everyone who attended the party and all those who sent cards.