A CARE home resident in Basingstoke celebrated a milestone birthday last week.

Surrounded by her family and closest friends, Kathleen - known as Kath - Green celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday, 10 September at Basingfield Court Residential Care Home in Huish Lane.

Born in Farnham, Surrey, Kath grew up in Alton with her wartime entertainer parents, who instilled in her a love for music and dance from a very young age.

Kath’s mother was a pianist and her father a drummer who together, went by the name of ‘The Pops’ as they entertained the troops during the First World War.

When asked what her secret was to becoming a centenarian, she said: “Always be inquisitive, always help others, and dance, dance, dance!”

It was love at first sight for childhood sweethearts, Kath and husband-to-be Tom who met one day outside the school gates. Tom asked Kath to marry him on Friday, 1 September 1939, the first day of the Second World War when Kath had just turned 22-years-old.

During the war, Kath took up the role of an air raid warden.

As well as having a passion for dance, Kath has also always been trying to help those less fortunate than herself. Following her husband’s death, she became even more active in supporting those who have also experienced loss - raising money for the homeless and previously Russian refugee children.

Now at 100 years old, Kath’s family has blossomed to include three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

One of the things Kath is most proud of is her son, Clive who was born shortly before the Second World War ended and went on to perform in the West End musical Oliver by Lionel Bart, as a young boy and right through into adulthood.

Clive has since passed away but Kath said she will always be proud of him.

Care homes activities leader, Tracy Mercer, said: “Kath is a lovely lady who still has the most wonderful zest for life. She has a fantastic dry sense of humour and is sharp as a tack. She is a pretty amazing lady.”