A PONTYPOOL woman, believed to be one of the oldest in Gwent, will receive her tenth birthday card from the Queen today.

Former cook and dinner lady, Millie Jenkins of Pontnewynydd, celebrated her 109th birthday a day early yesterday with her family.

Florence Millicent Jenkins was born on August 29, 1906, in Garnant, near Ammanford and moved to Garndiffaith as a young girl.

Mrs Jenkins, who lived in Garndiffaith for nearly 70 years, was born during the reign of King Edward VII and the office of Prime Minister Henry Campbell Bannerman. 

The mother of sons Dennis, aged 88, and Alan, aged 87, Mrs Jenkins was born in the same year as the writer Samuel Beckett, Agatha Christie actress Joan Hickson and astronomer and scientist Fred Whipple.

The centenarian has lived through two World Wars, the reign of five British monarchs and the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. During that time 24 Olympic Games have been held, 20 different prime ministers have been in office and ten Pope’s have reigned.

She has nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. The difference between the matriarch of the family and Josh, her one-year-old great-grandson is 108 years.

Mrs Jenkins attended Garndiffaith School and later moved to London to work for a doctor and his wife.

She returned to Wales and worked at ROF Glascoed as an ammunition inspector during the Second World War, Mrs Jenkins got married to Gordon Jenkins when they were in their early 20s at Pontypool Registry Office. He died when he was 82 years old.

She spent a number of years working in canteen including at Vipond’s Collieries, at Deakon’s slope in Varteg and then in the canteen at ICI Fibres before she retired aged 62.

But she did not stay retired for long, and soon returned to her old school to become a dinner lady. She retired from the role at 72.

Mrs Jenkins granddaughter Ann, aged 62, said: “When I was growing up I remember my nan being a very independent woman. She is the matriarch of the family-if she’d say jump we would all say how high.”

Dennis said they celebrated the occasion with a small family party at Ty Ceirios Nursing Home in Pontnewynydd, where Mrs Jenkins has spent the past three years. 

He explained that the party was held a day early because his grandson and Mrs Jenkins great-grandson Daniel is due to marry his fiancée Michelle in Pontnewynydd today.

He said: “She was a brilliant mother growing up. She worked all her life and nothing was too much trouble.”

“She is always cheerful and has a smile on her face.”

“She still enjoys listening to choir music and loves a cup of tea.”