by Alan Quick

NORTH Tawton Afternoon Women’s Institute treated one of its members on Wednesday, October 5, to mark her 100th birthday.

Barbara Jenkins (nee West) was presented with a bouquet of flowers by branch president, Sue Parkes, before everyone sang “Happy Birthday”.

Barbara then blew out the candles on a beautiful iced celebration cake, made by Lorna Dawe.

The WI members had also commissioned the making of a special birthday card which was signed by every member of the branch.

Barbara was born at Upper Norwood in South East London in 1916, her father sadly killed during the First World War in 1918.

She attended a convent school in London, where she obtained her School Certificate, leaving the school in 1933.

The family moved to Crawley in Sussex and Barbara joined the Wrens, of which she was a member for four years during the Second World War.

It was towards the end of the War, when she was a Petty Officer, that she met her husband-to-be, Humphrey Jenkins, who was serving in the RAF.

He spent 25 years in the RAF and retired when he was a Wing Commander.

It was 50 years ago that the couple moved to Exmouth, Humphrey starting work at Bicton College and then at St Bridget’s Nursery, where he eventually was in charge of the herbaceous section.

After he died Barbara continued to live in Exmouth until three years ago when she moved to North Tawton to live with her grandson John, his partner Stephanie and their children Eva (5) and Daisy (10 months).

Barbara said she finds the people of North Tawton very friendly and she enjoys living there.

She celebrated her birthday with a number of celebration parties, family members attending from Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK.

Barbara proudly received a birthday card from the Queen and one from the Wrens Association, which will be 100 next year.

She is proud that she and Humphrey had four children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Barbara remains in good health and is well-known by many in the town.