St Brelade resident Margaret Leng, a dedicated churchgoer, said there was no secret to a long life but that it was important to stay busy and keep on doing the things that you enjoy.
This week Mrs Leng, who lives on Route Orange, was presented with a birthday card from the Queen by the Lieutenant-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and his wife, Lady Dalton.
She was also joined by a number of family members from Florida, who had come to the Island just for the occasion.
‘I was born in Rochdale and lived in Blackpool and the Lake District, but I used to come over to Jersey on my holidays,’ she said. ‘I am not too sure how I ended up staying in Jersey, but my husband, David Leng, in his line of work, travelled all over the world and I ended up meeting him over here.’
Mrs Leng added that she had worked in hospitality for much of her life and began working at the St Brelade’s Bay Hotel as her husband’s family had owned it. She also worked at the Mermaid Inn.
Asked what had changed most about the Island over the years, Mrs Leng said that Jersey had become noticeably more built up.
‘It has changed enormously. It was very much unspoilt when I first came here, but it still is a lovely Island.
‘So much land has been built on now, especially in St Brelade’s Bay.’
A number of parishioners, including Rector Mark Bond and his wife, Terri, also attended and said they would be holding a separate event at the church to celebrate Mrs Leng’s birthday.
Mrs Leng added: ‘I have tried to keep doing all the things that I have always done and to stay interested in the church.
‘If you stay interested in things people are more interested in discussing things with you and keeping in contact.’
