Brighton's oldest woman celebrates birthday at Portslade care home

Winifred Pentecost reached the landmark milestone and celebrated the occasion with family and friends.

Winnie says the secret to old age is “hard work” after receiving her fourth royal telegram this year.

Winnie, right, as a child with her older brother (Image: The Argus)

Sheila Constable, Winifred’s daughter, said: “If you ask mum what’s the secret to getting to 107 she will always say ‘hard work’.

“She has always lived in Brighton. From the age of 14 she used to live off of St James’s Street and would work and clean.”

Born in December 1916, Winnie has lived through both world wars and has spent her entire life in Brighton.

Winnie, right, with her sister (Image: The Argus)

Having worked at home aged 14 while her mother worked for a wealthy family living in Sussex Square, she grew up in her family home in Park Street in Kemp Town.

Winnie worked the majority of her life at the former ABC Cinema in East Street on the edge of The Lanes, now a shoe shop.

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Having retired aged 60 in 1976, Winnie had lived alone since 1983 when her husband passed away.

Winnie lived in her flat above Coldean Library on her own until February of this year. Her granddaughter Natasha Martin described her as “a very, very independent lady” who would get out and walk every day.

Winnie with her daughter Sheila, right, and granddaughter Natasha (Image: The Argus)

Sheila described the last few years as “very difficult” after her mother contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic. She added it was also “very hard” moving her mother out of her flat earlier this year.

On Sunday, December 10, her family gathered at her care home in Portslade to celebrate her 107th birthday with a party.

Winnie received her fourth telegram from the Royal Family. She is one of few people to have received messages from two monarchs with both King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth having wished her a happy birthday.