SHIPTON Bellinger was in party mood for one of its most popular residents. Hilda Evans, a remarkable woman with a great sense of fun, celebrated her 100th birthday among 120 family and friends at a 'fantastic knees-up' in the village social club.

Earlier in the week, Hilda was the star guest at a surprise party at Salisbury's Gala bingo hall where she is a twice-weekly player. She catches the bus from Shipton Bellinger, goes shopping and enjoys lunch before hoping to capture the winning numbers for her card. Remarkably and always on her own, she clocks up over 200 miles a month to enjoy the fun.

Champagne was on the menu when Hilda arrived this time, having travelled from her Parkhouse Road home in a special car provided by the club.

The former Hilda Plank, one of 12 children and the daughter of a gamekeeper, was born in an isolated cottage in woods near Shipton Bell-inger. She and younger brother, Stan, aged 86 who lives in Hurstbourne Tarrant, are the only ones remaining.

It was in Shipton Bellinger that she met her husband Sid Evans and they married in 1925. The couple made their home in Portsmouth but on the outbreak of the Second World War Sid joined the RAF and Hilda returned to the village to care for her mother.

In later years the couple to make a success of pubs in Selbourne and in Fordingbridge. Sid died in 1983.