Lily's 106, but still she can't get out of doing the ironing

A DOVER woman is still going strong despite celebrating her 106th birthday on Valentine's Day.

106 NOT OUT: Lily Turnpenny

Great grandmother Lily Turnpenny still helps her 75year-old son, John, do the housework round their home, in Park Avenue, Dover. He said: "She does a bit of light dusting, ironing and helps out with the washing-up.

She's fine apart from her eyesight. It isn't so good although she can still get around the house."

Mrs Turnpenny was born in Limerick in 1893 and moved to Dover when her father got a job as a shipping agent in the port. She is the oldest surviving pupil of Dover County School, now called Dover Grammar School for Boys.

After attending London University she married her husband, Sidney Turnpenny, in 1919. They had two children and she lives with her bachelor son, John. Her married daughter Suzanne, 78, has three children and six grandchildren.

Mrs Turnpenny worked in a High Street Bank and the wartime Food Office before going into the family furniture business. She also led an active social life, being a member of the Dover Film Society, Dover Music Club, Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society and the Dover Players.

Her son, an ex-chairman of governors at Dover College and former chairman of Dover magistrates, said: "Mother still takes an interest in what the societies are getting up to although she can't see well enough to attend any of their shows."