A much-loved mum, nan and great-nan is celebrating her 100th birthday with hundreds of cards, including one from her favourite TV show.

Blanche Eldridge will be celebrating today's monumental milestone from her home in Higham with more than 100 cards from well-wishers.

Born in Bradford-on-Avon, Blanche lived in Somerset before moving to London after she married husband, Henry John Eldridge, known as John.

John was an army instructor during the war. He was part of the Dorset regiment which is where he met Blanche, and they married in 1944.

He passed away in 1999. They had been married for 55 years and had two children, Sue McGlew, now 71, and Richard Eldridge, 66.

Blanche moved to Higham in 1997 after her children moved to the area.

She has four grandchildren, Amanda Sibun, 36, from Gravesend, Sam Eldridge, 39 from Surrey, Kerry Mendis, 43, from Dartford, and Neil McGlew, 40, who is known as Nelly and lives in Australia.

She also has a niece, Pauline Gumm, who still lives in Somerset.

Blanche has four great-grandchildren Noah Sibun, five, Isaac Mendis, seven, Hollie Hill, eight, and Amelia Mendis, 11, as well as three step great-grandchildren - Daisy, seven, Jude, nine, and Millie 15.

Blanche's granddaughter Amanda said: "Nan lives alone in a small flat, and although my mum, Louise, is her carer, her birthday this year is going to be a bit lonelier because of lockdown.

"We decided to make a WhatsApp group chat to arrange something safe to do for her big birthday.

"Originally we had planned for flowers and afternoon tea, but now because of lockdown we decided to campaign for 100 cards to be written for her 100th birthday.

"Blanche loves cards and we thought it would be lovely to get 100 to her for the special day.

"But within a few weeks of the appeal on my Facebook page, we had many more from friends and family.

"My son, Noah, even got his classmates at St George's Primary School, to write cards.

"Cards are a big thing for her, they mean a lot, so now we have more than 100 for her, she is going to be thrilled.

"Of course we have a card from the Queen arranged and we even have a signed card from her favourite TV show, Bargain Hunt.

"Even though she can't celebrate her birthday how she wants to, she'll still really enjoy going through all of her cards."

Kerry's children's school, Our Lady's Catholic Primary, have also made some.

Blanche has a strong relationship with her local church.

Amanda said: "Father James, from St John's Church, is due to arrange something for her and I know she'll love that so much."

Father James said: "All from Saint John’s Church Higham send best wishes and congratulations to Blanche on her 100th birthday.

"She is the oldest person associated with St John’s. I am glad that she lives in such a prime location to keep an eye on the church and inform him of any suspicious goings on!

"We hope to enjoy Blanche’s company at our monthly coffee mornings as soon as it is possible and safe."
Up until she was 97, Blanche was self-sufficient and used to get the bus into town to go shopping every Friday.

Amanda said: "My nan has struggled with illnesses.

"She's had a stroke, cancer and even fought off diabetes but she looks after herself.

"She say's her secret to a long life is no drinking, no smoking and no sex!

"My nan has never been miserable, she has never been one to not be happy. Her family means a lot to her.

"She's been so positive with her life. She embraced life after after my grandad's death, she travelled, ventured out and went to church."

Blanche says the biggest change she has seen is in technology, online shopping, click and collect and transport.

Amanda said: "My nan said the Covid pandemic is worse than the war.

"She said everything still functioned in the war, she could still go out. Unfortunately you can't do that at the moment, she can't see her family."

Blanche was always a housekeeper, always looked after her children, however, she did spend time as a Land Girl and also worked as a cleaner at the Mason Arms pub in London. She kept little collectables from her time there, like match packets.

Blanche's son Richard had one of the last cases of polio before the vaccine was released in the mid-1950s. He became paralysed from the neck down and Blanche was his main carer.

He made some recovery, but he is still disabled from the legs down.

Richard said: "Mum may not say a lot but when she does give her opinion you had better take note as it will be totally honest and straight to the point.

"One of my fondest memories with her was watching the moon landing. We sat up most of the night watching it on TV."

Kevin McGlew, Blanche's son in law, said: "Blanche has been a wonderful mum in law, must be having put up with me for nearly 50 years! She's become my second Mum! Long may it continue."

Blanche's granddaughter Sam said: "I have lots of fond memories of Nannie, from games of darts at the weekends, to polishing the brass on Tuesdays during the school holidays at St Norberts Road.

"Nannie used to look after me and Amanda during the school holidays. As a treat we used to share a can of Lilt and eat cheese savouries whilst playing cards.

"Something so small and simple, but something I remember fondly some 30 years later.

"Her eight-year-old great-granddaughter, Hollie who has significant learning disabilities and is non-verbal, adores her and cherishes nothing more than a kiss, cuddle and reading her favourite book snuggled up.

"I’m so lucky to have Blanche as my Nannie."

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