​Doris Brand of Newstead House on Venns Lane celebrated her 100th birthday on February 17, with the occasion marked with a commemorative card from the king and queen. Mrs Brand and her sister were once land girls, and had been in charge of all the coupons for petrol during the war. It was during this time that she met her late husband, Bert, at what was then known as RAF Credenhill. Bert died in 2011 during a cruise celebrating their 60th anniversary. Mrs Brand has two children and is a great-grandmother of four. A spokesperson for Newstead Nursing Home said the 100-year-old has always kept busy, and tries to “look on the bright side of life”. But, despite her age, she has continued to utilise her skills, time, and knowledge, including by baking for Lee’s Place, a volunteer-led community hub providing hot meals to those experiencing homelessness. Mrs Brand is said to be the “life and soul” of the party, and is herself shocked that 100 years have passed by. Memories of loved ones are all easy to recall thanks to her “massive” collection of photographs, which she can remember both the person and place “in a second”. The spokesperson for the nursing home wished Mrs Brand a happy birthday, and she said she is “so loved” by both her family, friends, and the Newstead House Nursing Home family.