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A 105-year-old woman says her secret to a long life is regular napping.
Dora Horsfall, who is from London but now lives in Salisbury, was born on 2 November 1921 – making her one of the country’s oldest Brits.
She has lived through the Second World War, watched Queen Elizabeth II take the throne and seen 24 different prime ministers occupy 10 Downing Street.
"Some of us have short lives, some of us have long lives,” Dora said. "But it's what we do in that time that matters."
Dora has not had the easiest life. She and her brother Jack were sent to West London District boarding school after their father left and the family fell into poverty. At 13, Dora moved to Salisbury before returning to London aged 18, where she met her now-husband Rig.
The couple married in Croydon on 23 December, 1941, before settling in Salisbury and raising their two daughters, Pat and Betty. During the war, Dora worked as a bus conductress before joining a secret factory producing Spitfire aircraft.
After spending 45 years in Salisbury, Dora and Reg moved to southern Spain, where they enjoyed 18 years together. Following Reg's death, Dora returned to the UK and lived with her daughters before moving into Flowers Manor Care Home in Chippenham in 2022.
‘She has a siesta every day’
But no matter where she was, Dora always made time for her daily siestas.
“I think that could be why she's so well preserved,” said Mandy Cheeseman, Dora’s granddaughter.
"She has a siesta every day, even when we were little ones. I wish I could be half the lady she is. She's fun, she's got a wicked laugh."
Dora celebrated her 105th birthday with a violin performance from Sue Lord, who played songs including the wartime favourite It's a Long Way to Tipperary – a special choice because it was where Reg came from. Guests also enjoyed afternoon tea and a strawberry and vanilla birthday cake before Dora opened a birthday card from King Charles and Camilla.
Dora said the greatest invention of her lifetime was elastic. She said that it was used in underwear, although she reckons it still has room for improvement.
"Sometimes underwear fell down so you had to quickly pick them up and put them in your handbag,” she said.
Dora is now a proud grandmother of seven, great-grandmother of nine and great-great-grandmother of four.