A VILLAGE came together this week to celebrate a great-great-grandmother's 100th birthday.
Ivy Spencer was born in 1921 in Poplar, London, and had three brothers and a sister.
Ivy married her husband Edward in 1945 and after he died in 1963 she never remarried or even met anyone else.
The couple had one child, Graham, who sadly died the day before Ivy’s 98th birthday.
Her granddaughter, Melanie O'Leary, said: “Although she only had one son we gained a huge family, lots of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and now great-great-grandchildren.”
Ivy moved to Hatfield Peverel ten years ago so Melanie could be there for her, as most of her grandmother’s time was spent alone.
Read more: Great-great grandma to celebrate milestone 100th birthday
Though her nan is frail now and struggles to get her words out some days, Melanie says they have no problem understanding each other.
She added: “I never thought she was going to make Christmas last year as she fell quite ill, she had a traumatic time in hospital which left her traumatised and very frail.
“But with extreme amounts of love and complete dedication she is doing amazing, she really is my world.”
This is why Melanie organised something special for Ivy’s 100th birthday on Tuesday.
She arranged a garden afternoon tea for her grandmother, followed by a horse and carriage trip around the village.
Food for the afternoon tea was supplied by Amie The Party Kitchen, and chairs and tables were provided by SLP Event Hire.
Ivy loved every minute of her horse and carriage trip, steered by Danny from the Ostler Horse and Carriage Company.
Melanie encouraged their community to stand outside their houses when the horse and carriage was due to pass them and clap for Ivy.
“The community came together on the streets to make her feel even more special which was so lovely for her,” Melanie said.
“We had to stop the carriage a few times as people gave her cards, flowers and gifts which was so thoughtful and amazing for her.”
“She really was made to feel so loved by so many people she has never met before.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here