I have been lucky that's all.

That is the secret to a long and happy life - according to Frome favourite Ella Hicks who is not quite one hundred, but had a special party to celebrate with friends at the local Macular group.

Ella who met and fell in love with an English soldier in the war, came to Frome in peace time and says she loves her adopted town.

Frome loves her too, and her friends and associates were more than happy to present her with a special cake and flowers even though she is not actually 100 until January 29.

Ella told Nub News: " Oh no I did not expect all this, it is not so special is it? Everyone is making such a fuss."

The sprightly lady, widowed after her husband Donald died four years ago, doesn't walk with a frame or stick and is still dancing once a fortnight. Other than that she is bemused by her long good health life. " I just have had a normal life, " she told us. " I like most things and I eat most things, I like sweets but I also like vegetables. I just look for the best in things and then I get on with it. I just carry on really... is there something special in that? "

Yes ! According to her friends who were at their regular Macular Society Meeting at Frome Cricket Club on Berkley Road.

Ella's birthday party was made extra special because the Macular Society Group, which relies completely on donations to keep going with its regular Wednesday meet ups, lost several members during the pandemic.

Treasurer Vera Ford from the group told Nub News: " We are quite happy to take on new members, the hall is big enough, they can just come along to our meetings every 3rd Wed of the month at Frome Cricket Club from 10am to 12 and join in.

" In normal times we have speakers there, quizzes, outings, raffle and of course tea/coffee & biscuits/cakes. They all enjoy it as they know everyone and everyone has the same condition."

About Ella she told us : "She is so kind with a wicked sense of humour and is just amazing. She has survived so much in her life and also it would be a great advertising for our group with this condition for us to help support them in and around Frome as this is an invisible condition to other people."

Except Vera herself who got involved by helping her friend for the past 13 years before she too passed away in the pandemic.

Chairwoman Pat Mason who is her 80s and also suffers from the degenerative eye condition, would also welcome new members to the group.

We met her a few years ago when she knitted an amazing creation which has since been on display and has recently been sold at the local pop up Rotary charity shop in town. You can find out about her fairy tale creation HERE: The Frome Nub News site.

If you want to know about the Macular group meet up or would like to come along you can just drop in. Or please email [email protected]