Vera serenaded for her century

Baptist missionary moved to Ceylon with her minister husband.

A care home resident was serenaded at her 100th birthday celebration surrounded by her family and friends.

Vera Bullock, who was born 10th May 1919, was thrown a party at Ashley Lodge Bupa Care Home with tunes from her favourite singer, Retro Rita.

She was also presented with flowers by New Milton mayor Cllr David Rice-Munday and received a card from the Queen.

Her family said 'It was lovely for everyone to come together for the occasion and it was very well organised for her."

One of her friends added; "I am so pleased with how the afternoon went, there was a great atmosphere and a big thank you for all the hard work to make it special for Vera."

Vera Married her late, husband Charles at Eastleigh Baptist Church in 1942 and four years later they had a daughter, Ann.

The family moved overseas to British Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) after they joined the Baptist Missionary Service. Although Charles stayed there for three years, young Ann found the climate too oppressive so Vera brought her back to the UK.

When the family was reunited they moved to New Eltham in south-east London where Charles became minister of the Baptist Church for 18 years before they came south in 1967 to Thornhill in Southampton.

Charles joined a well-attended modern church and became a minister before he, unfortunately, passed away in 1972 aged just 57.

Following the loss of her husband, Vera briefly moved to Hedge End and then bought a house in Ashley a couple of years later where she became a member of the local Baptist Church.

After hospitalisation at the age of 94, she was placed in the care of Ashley Lodge where staff are very fond of her.

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