JO Bimson from North Curry had plenty to celebrate last week as she reached the grand old age of 100.

Jo, who loves to do crosswords despite finding it difficult to hold the pen, says it’s thanks to hard work that she has lived to 100.

She celebrated the occasion with a party in the village hall with her two sons, John and Ronald, and many of her nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Jo was born a Perry in Curry Mallet and her father made cider.

Even as a young child Jo would often help herself to a glass from the barrel at the end of the day.

As a youngster she was often followed around by a pet hen and a lamb, and the hen used to sit on her lap and lay eggs there.

Aged 22, Jo married Vic, a motor mechanic, and moved to North Curry.

She grew lots of vegetables at her bungalow and her tomatoes were so delicious her surplus crop was bought and sold at Knapp Stores.

Another year, she was approached by two men who asked if they could enter her tomatoes in the Fivehead Show – they came 1st and 2nd and Jo never said a thing.

Jo did her bit during the war, too, taking in two evacuee boys – Burt and Cyril.

Bert stayed over four years before returning home, and despite emigrating to Australia he sends Jo a card every Christmas and a dozen red roses on her birthday.

Jo has been a member of North Curry Baptist Chapel since 1937 and is now the oldest attendee.