Merlin resident celebrates her 103rd birthday

One of Merlin Housing Society’s oldest residents has celebrated her 103rd birthday with a party for family and friends.

Former school teacher Dorothy Ballam was born in Bedminster in 1907 and has lived in Bristol all her life. For the past 17 years she has been living at Merlin’s supported housing scheme at Newleaze House in Filton.

Last week Dorothy’s daughters Joan and Ann threw a birthday party at the scheme to mark her birthday and invited her neighbours to come along. Support co-ordinator Jennie Linham presented Dorothy with flowers and cake before everyone tucked into a buffet lunch.

After blowing out the candles on her cake, Dorothy said: “Thank you all for coming; you’ve given me such wonderful me memories.”

Her eldest daughter Joan added: “Mum is still living in her flat, still enjoying TV and her life.”