A Caerphilly grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Gwenllian Evans, known as Gwen, marked the occasion on Sunday, April 12 by speaking with loved ones on Skype, while neighbours raised a glass of wine to her from outside the window.

Gwen was born at Pen y Garreg Farm, Bargoed, in 1920, and attended South Bargoed School until she was 12-years-old.

She then moved to Llanbradach Fawr Farm, near Ystrad Mynach, where she later met her husband – Harold ‘Sydney’ John.

On November 12, 1941, Gwen, aged 21, married Sydney at Llanfabon Church. The couple went on to run and live at the Corn Stores on Bedwlwyn Road, Ystrad Mynach – where their three children, Bernard, Ann and Elizabeth, were born.

Sadly, on March 12, 1950, Sydney was killed along with 79 other passengers in the Llandow Air Disaster, a day after his 40th birthday.

The flight was carrying rugby fans back from an international game in Dublin, and was the world’s worst air disaster at the time.

Gwen continued to live and manage the Corn Stores for another six years before selling up and moving to Penarth, where she met Ken Evans, who she married in 1964.

Shortly after, Gwen moved to Caerphilly, opening an electrical shop in Ystrad Mynach arcade with Ken. Gwen managed the shop until her retirement in 1995, aged 75.

The following year, Gwen was widowed for the second time.

Since retiring, Gwen has enjoyed travelling – visiting Spain, Cyprus, Lanzarote, Tobago and more.

Some of Gwen’s hobbies included gardening, walking her dogs, reading and cooking, and she continued to drive well into her mid-80s. As a teenager, she regularly took part in the Gelligaer Hunt.

Son Bernard said: “Mum has had many challenges during her lifetime and embraced them all. She has been an inspiration to both my wife and also our children.

Daughters Ann and Liz said their mother “has had a trying time, but we never went without. She is very strong and we can’t praise her enough”.

Gwen’s three children said their mother has been a “wonderful mother and father figure”.

They said: “She gave us respect, dignity, stability, security and self-worth, and even more her unconditional love throughout our lives for which we thank her with all our hearts.

“One Hundred is a remarkable age and no one is more worthy of reaching such an age as you, Mum. You are one in a million.”

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