“I NEVER thought I would make it to 100.”

Those were the words of beaming centenarian Vera Kate Freeman as she welcomed family and friends from across the world for her landmark birthday.

She was delighted to receive her card from the Queen and was surprised by the addition of a card from the Governor General of Canada, the Queen’s representative there.

Vera was born in Canada after her dad Percy Bailey moved the family there to take up a job but after he signed up for service in the First World War her mother Katie brought her home to Bournemouth.

Vera has lived in the town ever since and had her only child Jean with her first husband Albert Lambert after they were married in 1932 at the East Cliff Congregational Church, with the reception held at Bournemouth Town Hall.

After they split up she married William Freeman and they ran the Dowlands garden shop in Parkstone’s Ashley Road.

Jean, now Jean Greenhill and living in Canada, came over to her mother’s birthday party at Queen’s Mount nursing home with her daughters Sally and Wendy.

Jean’s son Robert also came over from Geneva with his French wife and children and Vera’s great grandchildren Arthur and Josephine.

Jean told how her mum and stepfather also ran the old Northbourne Golf Club when it was based in Ringwood Road in the 1950s and Vera became ladies golf county champion.

She said her mum loved having everyone to visit for her birthday party including three old friends Gwen Howe, June White and Brenda Lancaster.

Jean, 78, said: “She was so keen to get her letter from the Queen and thank goodness it arrived.

“She was humorous and is in good health but wishes she could still play golf.

“She said she thought she would never make it to 100.”