Oldest surviving St Mark's pupil celbrates her 100th birthday

One of 11 children, Violet is the oldest living ex-pupil of the old St Marks school at Little Common. Sister Evelyn Bevan said: “Violet enjoyed the honour of having a brass plaque bearing her name installed when a new wing was opened in the new St Mark’s.”

Later, Violet moved to London and had a varied career including working in a factory welding jerry cans during World War II.

She returned to Bexhill in 1984 with her “beloved” husband Tom, but sadly was widowed just one year later.

Violet says she enjoys lunching out with family and friends and keeps very active “in spite of occasional medical matters”.

Around 18 friends and family members joined Violet to celebrate her 100th birthday in the Sunshine Room at the Cooden Beach Hotel, which Evelyn said was “very, very nice.”

Violet said she owes her long life to “activity and a daily sherry.”