CELEBRATIONS have been in full swing at Ross Court in Ross-on-Wye, as one of its much-loved residents reached her 103rd birthday in style.

Wenllian Hacket Pain, affectionally known as Wenks, was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she celebrated her landmark birthday.

Guests at the care home enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s talented head chef, Emma.

Wenks, a former tennis player who enthusiastic represented Monmouthshire on the county circuit during the late 1940s and early 1950s, had been living independently at Chippenham Court in Monmouth until the town was flooded, before moving to Ross Court, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life.

Wenks left school and went to work for the Commanding Officer at the barracks in Malpas near Newport before joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service – the women’s branch of the British Army, where she specialised in radar.

Wenks’ husband, Major Wyndham Hacket Pain, fought with the Grenadier Guards in both North Africa and Italy and was later honoured by being made a Gold Stick (personal attendant to the sovereign) at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and as a result, Wenks was privileged to be in Westminster Abbey for that Coronation.

The birthday girl said: “I am overwhelmed by all the attention that I have received today from everyone including all the cards that I have received from other Barchester homes. I have enjoyed every moment of my special day.”

Wenks told the gathering at the care home that her secret to a long life is keeping active.

Agda-Claudia Vasilateanu, general manager of Barchester Ross Court added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. She always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more.”