A WELL-LOVED lady who loves ballroom dancing and gymnastics has celebrated reaching 102 with her friends and family.

Staff at Coed Duon care home, off Halkyn Road, Holywell, hosted an afternoon tea party for resident Nellie Taylor, who turned 102 on Friday, April 5.

Nellie, who has four children, 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, said she never thought she’d see 100 – but is still going strong at 102.

The great-grandmother was born in London in 1917 and worked for the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, a leading medical research centre, for most of her life.

But, as she grew older, she could no longer look after herself and ‘was very frail’ according to her daughter Doreen Papper, who said she decided her mother should be closer to her in Holywell at Coed Duon.

Doreen said: “My mum is loved by many and makes friends easily. She’s quite a chatty person, she gets on well with the staff here at the care home. The family all care a lot about her.”

Nellie, who has lived in Holywell for four years, told us that she owes her good health to her active lifestyle that included gymnastics and ballroom dancing. She believes keeping her body moving has contributed to her long and happy life.

Mandy Morris, a team leader at the care home, said: “Nellie is a very funny lady and we all love her to bits here. She loves her music, playing a game of bingo and she will join in with anything.

“She enjoyed a morning party and a visit from her family. We will also have a lovely buffet tea with the residents to celebrate her 102nd birthday.”