100th birthday celebrations (From Daily Echo)
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Laura Robbins' tips for long life at the age of 100
12:50pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News
Laura celebrates with friends and family
FRIENDS, family and the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Derek Burke, helped Laura Robbins celebrate her 100th birthday.
The lively grandmother-oftwo, who has lived in Southampton for 40 years, puts her long life down to a loving family, lots of laughter, good food and walks in the fresh air with her dogs.
Laura, who was her school’s swimming champion, grew up in London and, having learnt to drive in her teens, served her country driving ambulances during the Blitz of the Second World War.
But by the end of the war she had left London for Dorset with her husband, Richard Robbins, whom she outlived, and their three children.
She later met shipwright Fred Shephard, who has been her partner in Southampton ever since.
Her family joined Laura to celebrate at the Brookvale Lawn Residential Care Home, Portswood, where she was presented with flowers, gifts and her letter from the Queen.
