Birthday girl – Gladys celebrates her remarkable 107th birthday and is oldest person in Cambridgeshire

World War One was still raging, David Lloyd George was Prime Minister and King George V was on the throne when Gladys Kightly was born – 107 years ago today (Wednesday).

Celebrations for Gladys, who is the oldest person living in Cambridgeshire, are being held at her current home, Askham Hall in Doddington, with cake and cards, including one from the King.

She was visited by local MP Steve Barclay on Friday, who took her a bouquet to mark her incredible landmark birthday.

It’s hard to imagine the things she has seen over her incredible lifetime. Not only has she lived through two world wars, but she has witnessed space travel and the evolution of the computer age.

On a more practical side household appliances like washing machines and even fridges have all been invented during her life, which began in Chatteris on October 25, 1916.

She spent most of her life in Chatteris, although she worked as a nanny in London in her youth and also lived in March, Doddington, and Mepal after her marriage to her late husband, Stanley, who died 19 years ago.

The couple were married at Doddington Church, where they lived initially after their marriage.

They had two daughters – Susan Kightley, of Chatteris, and Janet Huntleigh-Smith, of Baldock, who will be celebrating with Gladys today.

In her younger days, Gladys was a keen member of several groups and organisations, including the Salvation Army and Good Companions.

She worked mainly on the land during her working life.

Susan said her mum’s secret to a long life is probably never drinking or smoking. She does like a nice cup of tea and also Oxo though.

Gladys is one of 820 people aged over 105 currently living in the UK, she has a long way to go to beat the current oldest person – Ethel Caterham who is 114.

The oldest person in the world is US-born Spaniard Maria Branyas who is 116.