Hengoed woman celebrates 100th birthday with phone call from Wynne Evans

Sarah Nesta Jones, is better known as Nesta, celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday, May 11, in her childhood home in Hengoed.

Her family had planned a big celebration, but all this was put on hold due to coronavirus.

Instead, nephew Geoff Holder arranged for a surprise socially distant visit from her family and friends.

Nesta Jones with her telegram from the Queen

“We wanted to do something in line with the lockdown rules to make her day special,” he said.

Ms Jones was overwhelmed with the surprise. She said: “I knew they couldn’t come to the house because of social distancing but there they all were, spread across the road.”

The surprises started early for Ms Jones as family put banners up around the house this morning and a kind neighbour was cycling past and saw the banners. Mr Holder said: “He went home and got his trumpet, then came back, knocked on her door and played happy birthday on the trumpet.”

This was followed by a call from Wynne Evans on his BBC Radio Wales show, which was unintentionally interrupted by her family outside.

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Mr Holder said that his aunt was “proud of her telegraph from the Queen.”

Ms Jones was born on May 11, 1920 in the house she currently lives in. She went to school at Lewis School for Girls, Hengoed and went away to Cardiff University. She taught history at Llandysul and in 1947, she started to teach in Pontypool Girls’ Grammar School and then came full circle when she became head of history at Lewis School for Girls.

Nesta Jones in her younger days

Ms Jones hasn’t let getting older slow her down, she is life president of Gelligaer Historical Society, which she regularly contributes to. She is also an active committee member of the Rhymney Valley Music Club and before lockdown, played the organ at Bethany Chapel in Ystrad Mynach.

She also still lives at home and is very independent. She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was 80. I couldn’t believe it when I was 90 and I still can’t believe I’m 100.”

On the key to living, she said: “I honestly don’t know. I think the doctors have helped when I’ve had problems. I just keep going. I occasionally have bad or off days – but not very often. I think having family living close by helps too.”

A testament to Ms Jones’ popularity was shown as she received birthday cards from former pupils who are currently in Belgium, as well as numerous cards from other former pupils living closer to home.