1940s themed party for Connie’s 102nd birthday

CONSTANCE Fairbrother - a Coventry local and Blitz survivor - has celebrated her 102nd birthday.

The weaver, welder and former nursery and special needs teacher, who prefers to be known as Connie, was born on January 25, 1918.

And on Friday (January 24), surrounded by family and friends. she celebrated at a 1940s themed party at Sovereign House care home in Coventry.

The room was filled with balloons and a spectacular cake was presented to her as all of the staff dressed up in 1940s style outfits.

And how did it feel to be celebrating a whopping 102 years? Connie said: “I felt overwhelmed by all the effort from the staff and enjoyed every second, may I see another birthday that is such fun.”

She added: “I’m so very lucky to have my family to share this with.”

Care home manager Ellen Wilkin said: “The party was wonderful, we had an entertainer who dressed up along with all of the staff in 1940s costume. There were nurses, land girls, you name it.

“It was just beautiful, everyone was laughing and singing.”

The Telegraph had the pleasure of covering Connie’s 100th birthday two years ago, when family members told us of the remarkable life she lived.

Connie’s granddaughter said: “Connie comes from a history of weavers who would weave the famous Coventry ribbons that would turn the river “True Blue”.

“She was a welder during war-time and saw Coventry obliterated in the Blitz and was evacuated to Kenilworth, where a bomb was mistakenly dropped, so she decided it was safer to move back home to the ruins of Coventry instead.

“She was walking through the remains of the city centre when she passed King George who was crying as he viewed the devastation of the city.”

And it seems there were no limits to what Connie went on to achieve.

Her granddaughter added: “Connie has travelled all over the world, seen the pyramids, the Kakadu rainforest in Australia, danced the Sadanas in Spain and also flown in a bi-plane inside the Grand Canyon.

“When she got out at the end, she leaned on the wing, which promptly fell off the plane.

“She was a nursery teacher at Stoke Heath nursery 70 years ago and then ran a special needs unit at Deedmore in Coventryfor many years and was loved by everyone she met!

“Connie is a truly wonderful woman, with a sparkle in her eye, a mind like an encyclopedia and always with a song on her lips. She has always loved dancing and danced in all of the dance halls over the city.”