A BEN Rhydding resident has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Isabel Seddon, who lives at Kirkwood Residential Home, was born in Cockermouth, Cumbria on April 29, 1915 to Charles and Grace Robinson. An only child, she was one of 16 cousins. From a farming background (her father dealt in agricultural machinery), she loved visiting her uncles' farms in the district. A keen swimmer all her life, she learned to swim in Bassenthwaite and retained a lifelong love of the Lakes and Fells. She was an accomplished pianist and a keen reader.

Educated at Polam Hall, Darlington, she later went on to take a degree in Latin, Law and History at Kings College, London. Afterwards she worked for the Ministry of Defence (for which she had to sign the Official Secrets Act and will not disclose any information about her role due to this), spending the War years in London.

She met her husband Raymond, a textile engineer, at the end of the war, marrying in 1946. Due to Raymond's work their early married life was spent moving around the country. Essex, Belfast, where both their sons, William and John were born, and then Dundee where their daughter, Kay, was born.

In 1955 Raymond's work as a management consultant brought them to Yorkshire and they settled in Ben Rhydding.

Isabel was a devoted wife and mother and her hobbies included baking, knitting, tapestry and tatting. Outside of the home she and Raymond travelled all over the world on holiday visiting the Far East, Australia, America, Canada, India, Africa, Scandinavia as well as most of Europe.

She played bridge to a very high standard and belonged to two bridge clubs in Ilkley.

She now has four grandchildren, Will, Jon, Hannah and Peter.

Isabel remains living in Ben-Rhydding, now residing at Kirkwood residential Home and continues to enjoy a variety of activities.