Rugby woman overcame medical scare to reach her 100th birthday - and she has some very good tips for a long life

Clarice Wilkes turned 100 on Wednesday, June 17, and her son Keith has written to the Advertiser to share some fond memories.

Keith wrote: "My Mum Clarice Wilkes was born in Stafford and has worked as an accounts clerk for WH Dorman Ltd (later Dorman Diesels) in Stafford who were taken over by English Electric.

"She met my father Kenneth Wilkes who also worked for the same companies.

"They were boyfriend and girlfriend before the Second World War and were separated by my fathers service in the Army, initially at Dunkirk and then for five years in Burma and India.

"They were married in Stafford shortly after the end of the war. My father took up his old position with Dormans on his return to civilian life.

"In 1970 they were both relocated to Rugby by GEC who had taken over English Electric and they both worked in Rugby until their retirement.

"They initially lived in Bilton (Montague Road), but they fell in love with Dunchurch and moved there several years later, living in Dew Close.

"Clarice unfortunately was widowed some 30 years ago, and lived on her own in Dew Close until 2019 when she moved in to Thurlaston Meadows.

"Clarice is a very popular lady and has many friends.

"She is also a very determined lady who despite falling and breaking her hip when she was 96 was determined to get over the operation to repair it and reach 100.

"Clarice has one son Keith, two grandsons Steven and Thomas, and two great- grandsons Elliot and Joseph.

"They all attended her 100th Birthday Celebrations (which were held outside and under socially distancing regulations).

"Clarice took a full part in village life in Dunchurch, being a committed regular member of the Church, and enjoyed particularly her hobbies of cookery, embroidery and quilting, at which she became very skilled.

"She was a regular member of the Hillmorton Sewing Group until a few years ago, and enjoyed meeting her friends there and on their occasional trips to Malvern.

"Clarice is sad to see the demise of the local shops in Dunchurch, because she feels that they added to the quality and character of the village.

"Her tips for a long life are to eat well, have plenty of interests and plenty of friends, and keep pressing on."