Double celebrations took place at a Barnet care home as two residents turned 100.
Freda Hambly and Samuel Moss celebrated becoming centenarians at a party at Greenhill Residential Home, in Wagon Road, Barnet, yesterday.
Mr Moss was joined by his daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Norman Leftly, and his granddaughter Nikki Leftly.
The 100-year-old said: “I feel terrific. I have had a lovely day today. I feel the same as 99.”
Mr Moss said his secret to a long life was leading a “clean life”, with no smoking and little drinking, and keeping busy with many hobbies.
He added: “Although I am old, I have still got my marbles. The way I feel now, I am good for another 100 years.”
Born and raised in the East End, with his brother Sidney and sister Clare, Mr Moss became a tailor at the age of 15 and worked in his father’s clothes shop in Whitechapel.
When his father died, the family moved the shop to the West End, before Mr Moss retired at the age of 68.
He married at the age of 28 to Alma, and they moved to north London, settling in Golders Green, then Whetstone.
A keen painter and fisher in his younger days, Mr Moss moved into Greenhill after his wife died three years ago.
Many of his paintings are displayed in the care home.
Freda Hambly, who turned 100 on Monday and has lived at the home for the past year, spent yesterday with her son Clive, 62.
Born in Essex, Mrs Hambly moved to London aged 20, where she met her future husband Archibald.
They married in 1950 and moved to East Finchley, where they raised Clive with his brother Neil, 63.
Archibald, who worked in insurance, died in 1976, aged 92.
A family party was also held for Mrs Hambly on Monday, at her house in Elmroyd Avenue, Potters Bar, she was joined by her 24-year-old granddaughter Adele.
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