Joan was born on July 19 1916 while her father was serving in France in the Great War. The family lived at Clive vale at the time when electricity was only just replacing gas lights. Joan started school full time at just three years old. She won a scholarship to Hastings High School, aged 11 and later went on to gain a higher school certificate to Avery Hill Teachers Training College in South London. In the 1930’s she got a job in Edmonton North London and at 19 was teaching a class of 48 eight years olds. When war broke out Joan stayed in London teaching the children who didn’t evacuate, before returning to Hastings and teaching at Hollington Junior. She retired in 1978 and never stopped her love of the outdoors and being active, playing tennis in the summer and squash in the winter as well as taking up golf. Joan bought her first car in 1953, enjoying exploring the countryside by car. Lisa Quaife, Activity Co-ordinator at Old Hastings House, said: “At 100 years old, Joan is a remarkable lady, physically and mentally active. She walks into town and up to the Laurels to see friends and continues to email friends, runs a monthly quiz group. She is involved with lots of activities, such as chair Zumba and loves weekly outings. “She’s a member of our family here and has a huge amount of love and respect.” Hastings Mayor Cllr Judy Rogers and East Sussex High Sheriff Michael Foster helped Joan to celebrate. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.