Dora arrives in style for her 100th birthday bash
Talk about arriving in style.
Glamorous Dora Cooper certainly made an entrance to her birthday party, arriving in a chauffeur driven Bentley and releasing two white doves. But then, it's not every day a girl turns 100.
Dora surprised all of her friends and family at her exclusive party at Marsh Farm, Abbots Bromley, this week with a string of surprises.
As well as the doves, Mrs Cooper, who was born in 1915 in Little Haywood, made an A-list entrance in the luxury 1927 car before enjoying afternoon tea.
And that's just the start of the celebrations for the lady who loves to lunch, with a party for 100 guests planned for Saturday at The Cedar Tree Hotel.
"I originally wanted to come to my party on a motorbike, as my husband and I had motorbikes galore in our younger days," she laughed.
Dora married family friend, Francis at St Augustine's, Rugeley, when she was 19 and the couple had three children, Cyril, 80, Maureen, 75 and Ian, 68.
Today, she is a grandmother to nine, has 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild Kenzie, aged four.
Mrs Cooper, the youngest of six children, remains fiercely independent and does not have a carer, although she jokes about 'having staff'.
"I do have staff, someone to do the housework and the gardening but I do the rest myself," she said. "I have a wonderful family and friends and they step in if I need anything, I just ask."
Dora worked as a manager at Hindley's cake shop in Rugeley for 24 years until she retired in 1976 and was widowed in 1985, when her husband died aged 77.
In her spare time she enjoys knitting baby items to send to developing countries. She also enjoys watching Coronation Street, Emmerdale and quiz shows.
She said: "I often shout the answers at the TV, they keep my mind in shape."
Dora also enjoys reading and attends her local W.I once a month.
She added with a chuckle: "I did put on my party invites, please no presents but I have already had four bottles of brandy, so I've got the impression they think I'm a boozer. I did think, what a cheek, but then again I do like a drop or two. I am always up for a laugh."
Ahead of the party on Saturday, she said: "It will be pretty much all of us together and that will be wonderful."
Grandaughter Jackie Durham said: "My grandmother doesn't look 100 at all. We all think she's an inspiration."
