St Mary’s Church in Godmanchester was full to the brim on April 1 to celebrate Vera Arnold’s 100th birthday.

The Hunts Post: 100 year old Vera Arnold, at St Marys Church, Godmanchester,100 year old Vera Arnold, at St Marys Church, Godmanchester, (Image: Archant)

Surrounded by family and friends, Miss Arnold received more than 100 cards from well-wishers, including one from Her Majesty to mark the occasion.

Sandra Sturgeon, Miss Arnold’s niece, said: “You can’t believe it.

“She is amazing, there’s no doubt about it. She’s been looking forward to this for the last year. She said, ‘I’m going to have the biggest party in the church.’”

Miss Arnold, who never married and has no children, was born in Godmanchester in 1916, the ninth of 14 siblings, and has lived there all her life.

“I still enjoy life and I get out still on my own and I mostly come to church,” she told The Hunts Post.

“I don’t often miss it and I have lived in Godmanchester all my life.

“I love every bit of it. In the summer I go out on the rec and sit on one of those chairs and spend hours over there.”

Miss Arnold worked as a parlour maid at Offord Hill when she was 15, before moving to Marshalls Brewery, in Huntingdon, and then Chivers.

She also took time to care for her brother and mother.

“She’s always caring for somebody. Always,” added Ms Sturgeon.