A FROME care home resident has credited her longevity to “drinking sherry and eating porridge” as she celebrated her milestone birthday.

Eileen Wilkie, a resident at Care UK’s Rossetti House on Welshmill Lane marked her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends with a special party.

Eileen was born on February 13, 1921 in Chirk, North Wales. She married her husband John during the Second World War, and while he served in the army, Eileen played her part as a member of the Land Army.

The couple set up home together in Bridgwater moving as John’s career as an accountant dictated around the country. Eileen took each move in her stride, seeing it as her duty to support her husband wherever his work required them to be.

Together they had three children, Lenore, Amanda and Katrina, and the family has since grown to include eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, who regularly visit Eileen at Rossetti House.

Following the war, Eileen dedicated her time to raising her children and running her home. In her spare time, she developed a love for golf, stamp collecting, gardening and poetry.

When asked for her thoughts on turning 105, Eileen said that “drinking sherry and eating porridge” was her secret to a long life. She added: “I enjoyed everything about my birthday, especially the vast array of flowers and cards that arrived and, of course, seeing my family.

“The icing on the cake was that my birthday coincided with a visit from West Highland Terrier, Coco, who visits Rossetti House regularly and who I always love to see.”

Home Manager at Rossetti House, Phil Vale, said: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Eileen. As a much-loved resident at Rossetti House, it was wonderful to mark this tremendous milestone with her and her family.”