1912 saw the first appearance of traffic lights, zip fasteners and electric blankets. The news was dominated by the sinking of the Titanic and Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. Lilian Gish, Sarah Bernhardt and Douglas Fairbanks were starring in the latest silent films

But for one Monmouthshire family 1912 was most notable for the birth of its much-loved matriarch Florrie Ethel Blackwell (nee Riley).

Florrie, who celebrated her 107th birthday at Bethany Car Home in Bulwark, Chepstow last Thursday, can remember ’as plain as day’ during World War One a little girl at school in tears and, when asked why, saying ’because I’ve lost my Daddy’.

She recalls climbing onto a flat roof to wave a flag on Armistice Day and the shock of seeing war veterans, often with amputated limbs, forced to beg on street corners in the years that followed.

Born in Pill in Newport, Florrie was one of seven children - three girls and four boys.

She left school aged 14 and worked first in a general stores, before finding a job in domestic service and then as nursemaid to a little boy in Cardiff. She also worked in packing at Lovells sweet factory.

She met her future husband Harry at an open air church service and married him at St Mary’s Church, Malpas when she was 21.

For many years the couple ran a fish and chip shop in Malpas next to Malpas Church School. She remembers the time when a portion of cod or hake cost a penny and chips a halfpenny.

During World War Two Florrie says she used to hide under the stairs with her baby son Terry during bombing raids on Newport Docks.

In the 1960s the family became the proud owners of a red Mini - the first in the area.

Florrie went on to spend many years in Magor - in fact she was living independently until 18 months ago and carried on with her favourite hobby of old time dancing until she was 98!

She’s been a churchgoer all her life, at one time teaching at Sunday School, for many years singing in the church choir. As recently as this Christmas she was catching up with old friends at the annual carol service at Ebeneezer Baptist Church.

Florrie still has remarkably good eyesight and likes reading romantic novels and watching snooker and horse racing on TV.

Her 107th birthday at Bethany Care Home was marked by the arrival of a steady flow of relatives and friends - with silver balloons, a special cake and yet another birthday card from The Queen!