On Tuesday this week, a native of Tenby celebrated her 100th birthday in Sidmouth, Devon. May Bennett was born in Tenby, educated at Greenhill School, and married Cecil Bennett, the geography master at Greenhill School, in Gumfreston Church. May is the mother of the Rev. Handel Bennett and Margaret Wright, who were also born in Tenby. May now has three grandchildren - Peter in Zanzibar, Ruth in East Bergholt (Suffolk) and David in Bedford. Her two great-grand-children are in Durham University and a Sixth Form College, in Colchester. May's family were much involved in local government. Her father was Clr. John Jenkins, and her mother, Alderman Margaret Jane Jenkins, became the first elected woman Mayor of Tenby, and the first in West Wales (1927-28). Her mother was made a Freeman of the Borough in 1946. May's sister, Mrs. Anne Norman, became the first woman chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council. The whole of the family worshipped regularly at Gumfreston Church. In 1947, May with her family moved to Weymouth, where her husband Cecil Bennett became headmaster of St. John's Church School. Pupils of the school have this week sent many cards of congratulation to May on achieving her 100th year. May became a local secretary for the Bible Society in Weymouth. Her faithful support for 25 years was recognised by the society, with a Honorary Life Governor award. Birthday gifts are being donated to the Bible Society. May has spent the last 25 years living in Plymouth, near to daughter Margaret and son-in-law Gordon Wright. There she has been an active member of Stoke Damerel Church. Many of the members expect to visit her in Sidmouth tomorrow (Saturday), to celebrate her birthday, along with lifelong friends and family from across the country. When asked if she had any tips for a long life, May said: "We lived at Lamack Vale (in Serpentine Road) on the outskirts of Tenby. I was the youngest, and there were no other families nearby, and at times, as a child I often felt lonely. I remember singing 'There's a friend for little children, above the bright blue sky'! At that moment I knew I was His and He was mine. Jesus was my Friend then, and His Holy Spirit has been my helper throughout my life". Through two world wars, through births and bereavement, and through changes of address, May's faith has sustained her, and brought her lasting peace.