Bridport woman celebrates 100th birthday with family

Cunha Warne celebrated her milestone birthday on July 6, with a glass of champagne and surrounded by family and residents at Castle View care home, Poundbury where she now lives.

Cunha Warne (Image: Terry Warne)

Cunha moved to Bridport shortly after she married her childhood sweetheart Edgar in 1947 whom she met when he visited her parents’ corner shop in Plymouth to buy sweets.

The 100-year-old was born in Torpoint, Cornwall, and owes her unusual name to her mother’s fascination with the island of Tristan da Cunha which was in the news at that time.

After short stays at a beach bungalow in Burton Bradstock and in a flat in Sparacre House, the pair set up home in Fulbrooks Lane before moving to Victoria Grove which remained the family home for more than 65 years, and Cunha’s three children Teresa Visram, Terry Warne Chris Warne have fond memories of their childhood there.

Speaking of his mum, Terry said: “She has always been a fun-loving, family-orientated woman who was very popular.”

When the children had left home Cunha decided to volunteer at the newly-founded Bridport Tourist Information Centre which she went on to manage for many years.

In later life, she could often be seen alongside her husband about the town, shopping in the market and in Waitrose, as well as taking a break in one of Bridport’s many coffee shops.

Cunha continued to enjoy these activities for several years after Edgar’s death in 2011.

Cunha Warne alongside family (Image: Terry Warne)

She has also been a devoted member of St Swithun’s Church since her arrival in Bridport, being involved in the Mothers’ Union there, and attending services well into her 90s.

Through Edgar, who served in the Fleet Air Arm during WW2, she has also been an Associate Member of the Bridport Royal Naval Association.

Cunha moved to Castle View care home in 2021 and attributes her long life to good genes and a daily sherry before lunch.