Brandy lover Ella Redmond still going strong at 109! (From Thisisdorset)

Brandy lover Ella Redmond still going strong at 109!

6:30am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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ONE of the oldest ladies in Dorset is celebrating her 109th birthday today in her Bournemouth care home.

Friends and carers joined Ella Redmond, born in 1901, for a special birthday soiree and a glass of brandy.

Surrounded by balloons, Ella was overwhelmed by the party but said she was “happy” to be celebrating her birthday.

The grandmother believes the secrets to her long life are two daily tipples of Courvoisier, her favourite brandy, and a good breakfast every morning – she even bathes her face in warm milk every morning to fight off the wrinkles.

Ella’s carer, Kelly Dickinson, said: “She’s such an amazing and lively lady, we all love her to pieces.

“The first thing everyone does when they come into work is visit Ella, we have so much respect for her.”

She added: “I love learning about her life, she loved dancing and travelling the world, she misses them so much.

“She does have failing sight and hearing but she’s still happy and that’s what matters to us.”

Aside from brandy, Ella’s enjoys milk chocolate, cakes and singing, her favourite songs are ‘pop goes the weasel’ and ‘your friend is my friend and my friend is your friend’.

Twice-married Ella, has been a resident of Riseborough Care Home on Branksome Wood Road for seven years, before that she lived in a London Mansion near Buckingham Palace – she even used to own a yacht, a wedding present from her late husband, Bill.

Ella’s grandson gave her two bottles of Courvoisier to celebrate her birthday and hoped to visit her soon.