A WOMAN in Cirencester recently celebrated her 101st birthday with lovely cards from the members of the public.

Pat Gillham - a much-loved resident of Elm Grove Care Home - celebrated her milestone on June 23 surrounded by family members and staff.

It comes as the care staff previously issued an appeal asking people in the area to send in birthday cards ahead of Pat's special day. 

In the end, Pat received more than 67 cards and was also gifted a knitted blanket from a kind member of the public.

A statement from Pat’s family reads: “To everyone who took the time to send cards into the home to wish our mum a very happy 101st birthday.  

“Each card was individually read out to mum and she had a big smile on her face which really made the day even more special.”

Pat, who was one of six children, started her working life as a maid at a local farmhouse before joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War Two.

She dispatched and received aircraft at Lyneham Aerodrome and loved the planes so much she used to sit in them to eat her lunch. 

Pat’s love of planes lasted throughout her life, and she regularly attended The Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford when her two daughters, Anne and Lin, were children. 

Taking her interest one step further, Pat even completed several parachute jumps.

Pat, who went on to become a licensee after the war, loved going on walks, growing vegetables, and was an active member of the WI. 

Pat Gillham - a much-loved resident of Elm Grove Care Home - recently celebrated her 101th birthday (Image: Elm Grove Care Home)

The birthday cards that Pat was sent from members of the public  (Image: Elm Grove Care Home)

(Image: Elm Grove Care Home)

Pat Gillham's love of planes has lasted throughout her life (Image: Elm Grove Care Home)