Three centenarians see Doris join their club

IT'S not every day four 100-year-olds are in the same room. But that's exactly what happened when Linda Collenette, Doris Poole, Hilda Saltwell and Dorothy Dowinton got together.

The centenarians gathered yesterday at Duchess of Kent House for Mrs Poole's 100th birthday.

Family members spanning three generations sent the collective age in the room through the roof as they joined in the celebrations.

Mrs Poole was her usual humble self.

'I've never made a fuss about my age. It doesn't feel any different from being 99,' she said.

Her daughter, Brenda Windsor, said she felt blessed to have such a wonderful mother.

'She's always been so supportive of all her children and we're very grateful,' he said.

'She's never been the sort to make a song and dance about things. She's always taken life as it comes.'

Daughter Hazel de Garis, granddaughters Marilyn Hockey and Nicky Windsor, as well as great-grandchildren Rachel, Andrew, Michael, Alex, and Ryan were all present among many others to watch as Mrs Poole read her telegram from the Queen.

Close friend Hilda Saltwell, who had her 100th birthday party at the same place last year, had an interesting take on old age.

'I think if you are a happy person, the time just flies by,' she said.

'I know it's gone too quickly for me.'