Additional reporting by KMTV’s Henry Luck
A “supportive” and “brilliant” mum celebrated her 100th birthday with a surprise visit from a soap opera star.
Hilda Howes was joined by friends, family and Alan Fletcher from TV show Neighbours for a celebration at Maplewood Court in Maidstone.
The actor, who is known for his role as Dr Karl Kennedy in the series, shared a story about his great aunt who has also reached the milestone age, and sang the centenarian happy birthday before gifting her a mug.
A manager at the care home had seen that Mr Fletcher was performing in a show locally – and decided to invite him to come and see Hilda.
It was a moment she says she will treasure forever.
Looking back on the last century, she believes the secret to her long life is “good parents and a happy family”.
She said: “We had six children in the family – I was the last one, so I suppose I should be a bit lonely as time goes on.
“But I’ve still got one sister and a brother who come and see me, so I’m lucky for that, that there’s somebody there.
“My daughter and my son are both here, and lots of aunts and their children. It’s been a wonderful day.”
According to her son Michael, Hilda is the fourth of her six siblings to reach 100.
He said: “It’s quite an amazing feat. They’re a really quite incredible family, long-livers, and it was no surprise to me that she made 100.
“She’s quite incredible – she’s very well, nothing wrong with her. She is completely sane and healthy, so she’s going to carry on and she’s quite happy.”
Looking back on the last century, Hilda says some of her fondest memories are from the holidays she has been on.
“We had a caravan, went all over the coast and through the countryside in Spain and across there,” she said.
“We met a lot of nice people. We’re still in touch with one couple that lived in Scotland, but they came from France, so I haven’t seen them yet, but we talk to each other.”
Michael added: “We had great fun camping. We’ve been to France, and we used to go to a place called Hope Cove in south Devon.
“My brother, sister and I used to get up early in the morning and go to the farm and help milk the cows. That was really good fun.”
As he and his siblings have got older, he has credited his mother for being “very supportive”, particularly when he was in college.
“She’s quite an emotional person, but she’s always been there for us. She’s been absolutely brilliant.”
