GREAT-great grandmother Gwendoline Bessy Trim died peacefully on January 16 at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, aged 103.

Having lived most of her life in Bournemouth she saw many of the changes the town underwent over the last century, and she met many of the famous performers and celebrities who worked in the town over the years.

Mrs Trim, who celebrated her 103rd birthday with her family at Wickmeads care home in Southbourne in May last year, worked as a cook in the Winter Gardens for seven years during the 1960s, meeting celebrities of the time including Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richard and Charlie Chester. Even as she passed 100 she still retained very fond memories of her days working at the famous venue, and she had a lot of stories which she shared with staff at the home. She also worked as a home carer.

Mrs Trim was born in Marsh Green, Devon, in 1910, but the family moved to Bournemouth while she was young.

She married Sydney Trim when she was just 16, at the Wesley Church in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, and they had four children, Cynthia, Heather, Roslyn and Geoffrey.

In 1952 the couple also fostered a daughter, Maureen, now 74, who remains a central part of the family and who was a great support to her in her later years.

Many of the family, which includes 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, still live in the Bournemouth area.

A funeral service will be held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday, January 27, at 12noon.

Donations to The National Asthma Campaign and Arthritis Care may be made online at www.tapperfuneralservice.co.uk