TIME has been kind to Gladys Balderson, who is celebrating her 100th birthday.

The centenarian, who lives in Burcot, was born on September 24, 1903, and has seen some amazing changes in her life. Space travel, mobile phones, computers, even the motorcar were unimaginable in the world Gladys was born into and now she is looking forward to the challenges of the new century.

Gladys was born at Orchard House, Worms Ash, and went to Dodford School until the age of 12 when, as she was the eldest daughter, she was kept at home to look after her two younger sisters.

When she was around 17 or 18 she entered service, as many did in those days, and went to Hewell Grange to work as a housemaid for the Plymouth family.

"She says it was a wonderful life. They were well looked after," said her proud daughter Pamela Lewis.

Gladys celebrated her 21st birthday with a party at Hewell Grange and she met her husband-to-be Ernest, who worked at the stately home as an under butler.

The couple were married on November 13, 1926, at Dodford Church, and went on to have two daughters - Pamela and her sister Gill Harris.

They moved with the Dowager Countess of Plymouth to Holcombe Manor, Painswick, as housemaid and butler and stayed there for about five years, returning to Worms Ash in 1937.

Ernest then worked in engineering in Worcester, while Gladys looked after the children, as well as working on the land in her brother's flower nursery, which is perhaps the secret of her long life, says Pamela.

"I think it was because everything we had was straight out of the garden. The food was fresh, there was lots of fresh air. It was just a healthy outdoor life," she said.

Gladys was widowed in 1965 but continued to live in Worms Ash. She is now in Burcot where she is looked after by members of her family. And she was surrounded by her family and friends last week when they celebrated this remarkable lady's 100th birthday.