THERE were big celebrations at Shottermill House last week, when inspirational resident Miriam Cheesman turned 106.

Haslemere mayor Sahran Abeysundara was special guest at the party last Wednesday, held for a much-loved and “amazing” resident.

The secret to her long life, Mrs Cheesman said, was down to her healthy diet and her strong Christian faith.

Her application to join the residential home run by the Pilgrims’ Friend Society, was approved in September 1979.

But it was not until she was 102 that she felt she needed extra care.

Concluding her application, Mrs Cheesman wrote “Praise God for all that is past, and trust Him for all that is to come”.

The youngest child of Haslemere timber merchant Jesse Mann, Mrs Cheesman had seven brothers and sisters and was married twice.

She married her first husband, Ben Wadey, when he was 75 and she was 35.

Following his death, she married Harry Cheesman, whom she has also outlived.

Growing up in 16th-century Fleur-de-Lys house in Bell Lane, next to the saw mill that is now Coomers timber and building supplies, she loved playing outside in the big garden and climbing trees, and wished she was a boy.

“My father was a very well respected local businessman,” she recalled.

“In those days transport was horse-drawn.

“We went around in a pony trap with two little ponies and my father had five big carthorses to pull the huge tree trunks to the saw mill.

“On Sundays, he gave the carter the day off and looked after them, himself.

“I was aged about five and he gave me their food and I would have to go up on tiptoes to give it to the horses. I loved them all.”

Mrs Cheesman went to Hillside School, in Haslemere, but left aged 14 to help her mother at home.

It was not until she was in her early 20s that she felt her mother could manage without her help.

Worried that she would not be able to find a job, because she was untrained, she spotted an advertisement for a lady chauffeur for a family in Hampstead, north London, in a magazine and successfully applied.

For three happy years, she drove the Sinclair family to and fro in a 20 horse power Vauxhall limousine, and particularly enjoyed chauffeuring them to Newcastle for their annual summer holidays and discovering the joys of Scotland.

The Sinclair children nicknamed her “tuneful”, because of her melodious voice and she is still in touch with the family.

Her cousin Olive was a nurse and it was while visiting her at work that she felt a strong calling to train as a nurse, too and worked at Mile End Hospital.

Her elder sister Grace was diagnosed with cancer aged 42 and Miriam returned home to nurse her and stayed on.

“I looked after my dear little mother for the last 25 years of her life and that was a great joy,” she said.

“Both my husbands were good men and they lived with me there, because I would never leave my mother.

“I never had children but was blessed with a loving step family.

“After moving out, I had 26 years living in a little bungalow at Peperham House sheltered housing scheme in Haslemere. I was so happy there.

“I moved to Shottermill House run by the Pilgrims’ Friend when I need to be cared for more and I am so thankful to this place.

“I had parents who often spoke of their Christian faith and it has been the strength of my life, too.”

Shottermill House manager Paul Mason said: “Miriam is doing well and has some lovely stories to tell. Memory-wise, she’s as bright as a button.

“Living to be 106 is quite an achievement and she’s just such a lovely person.

“Whenever we have a prospective resident, we always introduce them to her.

“It’s such a privilege to have her here.”