A MUSIC therapy session kick-started the 100th birthday celebrations of two residents at a care home in Boscombe yesterday.

Mary Revens and Wilfred Long, who both reside at Shalden Grange care home, Watkin Road, have both received their cards and telegrams from the Queen in the last week. To mark the occasion staff held a music therapy session followed by food and cake – with relatives invited to get involved.

Wilfred’s birthday was on Tuesday, where he was joined by daughter Jan, who had travelled from Tou-louse in France and granddaughter Valerie, who arrived from Germany.

Wilfred was born in Tredegar, Wales, and left school aged 14 to start work as an ironmonger’s apprentice, before going on to run his own business.

He served in World War II as a lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps after meeting the love of his life Barbara.

“I have enjoyed my life and am lucky to have always had so many lovely people around me,” he said.

Barbara passed away in 2000; a loss which he said remains a great source of sadness for him. But he still takes great joy in seeing his two great-grandchildren Enzo, 11, and Jade, nine, who both live in Germany.

“I love them very much,” added Wilfred.

On the same premises, Mary was also celebrating after turning 100 on March 19.

Born in Lancashire, Mary is one of the home’s longest serving residents, having been there for 16 years.

After leaving school aged 14 she went to work at a cotton mill before becoming a dress maker – something she continued to do until she was 78 years old.

She married George Swallow in the 1930s and they had son Howard.

After George died in 1963 aged 47, Mary married again – this time to Alf Revens, who has also since died.

Howard said his mother has spent several decades moving around the country, but always seems to end up back in Bournemouth – the town she fell in love with when she used to visit during her holidays.