Woman who keeps age a secret marks 106th birthday

A 106-year-old who has never wanted to recognise her recent birthdays has been surprised this year with a family party and second royal telegram.

Molly Rogers, a resident at Field House care home in Church Stretton, Shropshire, remained "extremely active", staff said.

But carers who contacted BBC Your Voice said that after turning 100, she had declined to tell anyone her age.

Those in the know, however, carried on with celebrations regardless.

Rogers enjoyed champagne and a homemade cake at the care home, where she has been a resident since 2020, before being taken out by family for a party.

She said she had added a telegram from King Charles III to the one she received from the Queen six years ago.

The centenarian said: "I have made it to this age because I have led a wonderful life and been cared for so well by my family and now the wonderful staff at Field House."

She said living through the Second World War had made her grateful for the life she had led, which included moving to Canada in her 70s to be closer to her daughter.

There she helped to build her own home.

Field House general manager Paula Wiggan said: "She always tells the story of being up on a ladder holding a tarpaulin on the roof in the rain and the builder shouting 'you can't be up there at your age', and she thought 'I can do what I am able to do'."

Wiggan said staff were delighted to be celebrating the "truly remarkable woman".

"Molly is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more for the many more years that she is with us," she added.

Rogers said of staff: "I just don't know how they do it, I just couldn't care for people, they are amazing."

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