Joyce celebrates 100th birthday in lockdown after cancelled party

The Winchester centenarian had originally planned to mark the milestone date (March 20) with a party at the city rugby club. This was cancelled last week in line with Government guidelines.

Instead a small group of close family visited Ms Lock at her home, where she lives independently.

Her eldest son Richard Lock, who gifted his mother a pack of toilet rolls, said: “Knowing her sense of humour there was only one thing that I considered appropriate to present her with as her 100th birthday present, along with a larger screen television to cater for her failing eyesight.”

Ms Lock is still active and often takes a taxi down to Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencers in the High Street.

Mr Lock continued: “Everything passed off well and mum’s close family – two sons and daughter and their respective partners – attended and made it a day to remember.

“Visitors came and waved through the front window and she had masses of cards and flowers and a cake to celebrate the occasion.

“Her only regret is that she is now socially isolating and will not be able to make her regular taxi ride.”

The centenarian believes she is the oldest surviving family member of the Hampshire Fire Service.

Her husband served in the fire service during the Second World War and afterwards moved to the North Walls station for the rest of his career.

“I followed him into the fire service and served with him at Winchester, as did my brother,” added Mr Lock.

“We both ended up as senior fire officers and my brother still works for Hampshire as one of their Fire Investigation team. Spookily, my eldest son is currently a serving senior fire officer and my son in law is also in the fire service and a member of the International Emergency response team.

“So cut us in half like a stick of rock and it will read firefighter.”

Ms Lock’s family hope to reorganise the party, which would have seen more than 100 guests, at a later date.