Connie Perry at her party.MORE than 100 people from Winterslow gathered in the village hall on Saturday to celebrate the centenary of a woman who has given her life to serving and helping others.

And that generosity of spirit continued at Connie Perry's party, when she announced that, instead of presents, she had asked guests to make a donation to the Ace of Hearts appeal, which aims to set up a heart unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

The gesture brought applause from the 110 guests, who raised their glasses to toast her health and sing Happy Birthday.

Connie, a widow who lives in Highfield Crescent and is a member of the day centre and Baptist Church, was born on December 4, 1903 - when Edward VII was on the throne, local historian Norman Thorne told guests.

"I feel very privileged to be making this speech because Connie was a great friend of my mother's and I have known Connie for as long as I can remember," he said.

"They were born in the same year, pre-dating the history of flight - so Connie is older than the oldest aeroplane."

Connie was born in Sixpenny Handley, the eldest of four.

"Connie was a slow developer," Mr Thorne went on.

"She did not walk until she was four but, when she was six, the family moved to Winterslow and she had to walk to school.

"In her lunch break, she had to get to the post office to collect her father's newspaper and get back, all within ten minutes, so she certainly made up for that slow start.

"Her father was a shepherd at New Manor Farm and she started as a shepherdess, helping her father.

"Helping out was the theme of her life.

"When she left school, she went to work at Hill Farm and learned cooking and housekeeping."

Connie was confirmed in Salisbury Cathedral at 20 and became cook at the Godolphin School.

At 27, she married Alf Perry, who was born on the same day as her, and for three years they ran the local pub, the Nelson Arms.

When war broke out, Connie took in two evacuees who were sisters, one of whom, Olive Harmsworth, attended the party.

Connie's brother, Fred, also attended.

Connie made explosives during the war and in the 1950s helped in the village shop.

"Her life has been about service to others," said Mr Thorne.

"Connie says she doesn't want presents, but has asked people to give a contribution towards the Ace of Hearts appeal - this is a great tribute to the way she has lived her life."

When asked the secret of her long life, Connie didn't hesitate.

"It's about keeping fit and being kind to everybody," she said.