A KINGSCLERE resident who 'always wanted to help others' has celebrated her 105th birthday. 

Maisie Phoenix marked the occasion on November 11 with a party thrown by volunteers at Kingsclere Community Library.

Maisie, who was born in Yorkshire, has lived in Kingsclere since 1946, moving to the area after the end of World War Two in 1945.

Basingstoke Gazette: Maisie, her daughter Penny and husband Terry, and Maisie and Penny blowing out the candles.

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Maisie’s daughter Penny Phoenix, 75, flew in for the event from Canada with her husband Terry. She said: “It was a nice event to celebrate my mum.

“My husband and I played music at the party, and lots of people from the village that know Maisie, came along to celebrate her.”

Jan Blight, a close friend of Maisie’s, said: "She is a remarkable lady who is proud of her Yorkshire roots and loves to tell people about growing up in Sheffield."

Jan and Maisie met 35 years ago, both a part of the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers whose members meet to make and learn a variety of textile skills including weaving, spinning, and dyeing.

Basingstoke Gazette: Maisie and her daughter, Penny

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Maisie also puts her skills with textiles to use by crocheting blankets for the Linus project, a non-profit community interest company that donates handmade quilts and blankets to disadvantaged children.

“This [her work with the Linus project] sums up Maisie,” said Jan.

“She always wants to help others, and this is her way of giving to other people.”