Sutton Bridge ‘kind and loving’ great-grandmother Joan Castner celebrates 100th birthday

A sports-loving great-grandmother celebrated good innings after turning 100 years old last week.

Joan Castner, née Brundle, from Sutton Bridge, who likes following different sports on television, received her milestone card from HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The Liverpool FC supporter spent her birthday celebrations with family in Derbyshire - and her daughter Maria Clough shared Joan’s secrets to a long life.

Maria said: “She always tells everybody that hard work is the secret to a long life.

“Being outside gardening in the fresh air and being active is another thing she swears by.

“She loves watching sport on TV and is an avid tennis fan — she cannot wait for Wimbledon.”

Joan was born in 1925, an only child to farming parents and she left school at the age of 14.

She helped on the farm when the Second World War broke out and avoided having to go into munitions as her parents were farmers.

Maria said: “Mum said it was always hard work and living in Sutton Bridge, there was an RAF camp base there.

“It was hard and difficult, but she enjoyed arable and stock farming.”

At around 23, she met her husband-to-be, Werner Castner, and they got married in Nottinghamshire before moving back to Sutton Bridge.

Mr Castner, who was born in 1924, died around 15 years ago at the age of 85. Maria is the couple’s only child.

Joan carried on working on her parents’ farm until the age of 60 and enjoyed playing lawn bowls.

Now a great-grandmother, her 100th birthday celebrations alongside her extended family.

Four generations - including daughter Maria and grandchildren Amy, Mark and James and great-grandchildren - met for a family lunch and afternoon tea.

Maria said: “She wanted a quiet family day with her grandchildren.

“Her nature is very kind and loving. Mum would never upset anybody.”