A TREASURED member of Ningwood and Shalfleet Women's Institute, Mollie Earle, has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Mollie was born in Southern Rhodesia on May 20, 1920, but came to the UK in the care of relatives after the death of her parents.

She met her husband Stanley when they were both with the Royal Artillery based in Southampton during the Second World War.

She had a long nursing career, which she enjoyed, and it came in very useful in the raising of her five boys.

On Stan's retirement, the couple looked at property on the Isle of Wight, where Mollie had visited with relatives as a child.

They moved to Shalfleet — where Mollie still lives — and the new estate grew around them.

She has been a stalwart member of the WI for many years and remains a most valuable member of the committee, which benefits from her knowledge and experience.

She opened the Great Exhibition in May last year, celebrating 100 years of Ningwood and Shalfleet WI.

Because of the Covid situation, no party could be held for Mollie, but family, friends and neighbours waved and sang outside her window, with gifts, flowers and balloons.