Guests flock to celebrate Doris’ 100th birthday

Doris celebrated the special occasion with around 60 guests at Manor Court, Luton Road, Caddington.

Birthday greetings also came in a telegram from current Secretary of State for work and pensions, Iain Duncan Smith.

Born in Granville Road in Luton, Doris moved to her grandmother’s house in Dunstable as a young girl, with her widowed mother and older sister Ethel.

After leaving school she worked in the Luton hat trade, trimming felt hats, and working her way up to designing them.

She also worked as a private carer in Luton, before moving to Caddington to take care of her elderly mother.

A widow, Doris was married twice, most recently to Harold Baker.

She moved to Manor Court around six years ago, after her house in Mancroft Road, Caddington, was flooded. In between, she spent a few months living with her nephew, Derek Hills.

Surrounded by cards and flowers, Doris said it was “wonderful” to have reached 100.