Phyllis Gorton, celebrated her 103rd birthday on September 14th at Caer Gwent, Guild Care's residential and nursing home in Downview Road, Worthing. Surrounded by her daughter Shirley Anne and other residents Phyllis enjoyed chocolate cake and her favourite chocolate éclairs.
Phyllis has always enjoyed her independence and only became a resident of Caer Gwent in 2006. Up until that time she was still gardening and cooking for herself. She has four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The Caer Gwent resident recalled how her mother, a suffragette, campaigned for women's equality and said 'I can't believe it that women today can do the same job as a man and still not get paid the same wage. Before WW1 it was only men that could hold the position of a matron! At least the two World Wars moved things on.'
She came to Worthing in the 1950's with the aim of retiring with her husband, but when they arrived they needed something to do and opened Gortons, an interior decorators and DIY shop in George V Avenue, Worthing. The couple ran the shop for another 16 years before retiring again and this time they took up travelling and toured the world.