A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER from Laverstock, who remembers the victory celebrations at the end of the First World War, celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday.

Ada Coleman can still recall the peace day celebrations that took place at the end of the Great War in 1919 as the whole of the Somerset village where she spent her childhood took part in parades commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Mrs Coleman moved to Laverstock in 1947 when her husband Arthur found work in Salisbury, which included time working at the Journal.

The couple had a daughter called June and Mrs Coleman is a proud grandmother and great grandmother.

Mrs Coleman says she has seen many changes over her lifetime and says the biggest change for the better was the implementation of universal healthcare with the founding of the NHS in 1948.

On her birthday, Mrs Coleman had phone calls all day long from friends, neighbours and family – all wishing her well on her big milestone.

She said: “I don’t feel like I’m 100. I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with all my family, it was so nice to get so many cards and phone calls from all of the people that I know.”

Mrs Coleman says there are several secrets to a long, happy life. She said: “It is drinking black tea, having a strong faith, being from a rural background, and I eat meat every day."