Woman picks 100th birthday parties over palace invite

A woman has declined an invitation to celebrate her 100th birthday at Buckingham Palace as she is "too busy" and will attend a village craft club instead.

Olive Marston, from Heather, Leicestershire, declined the "special invitation" to a reception marking what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday, to which she was invited because she shares the same 21 April centenary.

Known as the "Queen of Heather", Olive, who has both a road named after her and her portrait hung in the village hall, said she did not mind missing the event as she already visited the palace to receive her MBE in 1999.

"How could I go? I have a village party and a party for all my family," she said.

The Royal Family will gather at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday with charities and organisations associated with the late Queen.

Some of the guests will include some of the UK's oldest citizens celebrating their 100th birthday and King Charles III will present their centenary cards in person instead of through the post.

The invitation read: "The reception will commemorate the legacy of QEII, highlighting a selection of Her Late Majesty's many charitable patronages, and celebrating their enduring contributions to public life and communities across the UK.

"As your own 100th birthday falls on 21st April, Their Majesties would like to extend a special invitation to you to attend the Reception at BP."

When asked why she declined an invite to the palace, Olive said: "How could I go? I have a village party, a party for my family, and the crafts are giving me a party.

"It's all parties."

Olive said she was "always baking" and made cakes every Wednesday for the 40 women who attend Heather Craft Club, and continued to knit and raise money for charity.

"My dear husband, Edward, passed away in 2022 and he told me never to give up making cakes for the crafts," Olive said.

"My life has been helping and giving and that's what I was brought up in, a good Christian home and I was taught to not forget people, just give them a love."

Olive was awarded her MBE on 20 November 1999 for her voluntary work and fundraising over many years.

Friend Pauline Pettitt said: "Everybody knows Olive. She's just such an inspirational lady and she makes everybody's lives come to light.

"She's just amazing, everybody thinks she's amazing."

Olive, who has a road called Marston Way named after her, will be celebrated once again when St John the Baptist Church in Heather rings its bells at 17:00 BST on her 100th birthday.

Members of the craft club will bake their own cakes for once as they will host a party for Olive on Wednesday.

"My life's been enriched with other people's lives and I've got a wonderful family.

"I've got so much love surrounding me," Olive said.

Olive said her seven great-grandchildren have been given the afternoon off school to come to the party on Tuesday.

"I'm upstairs in the afternoon knitting. I'm still working for charity. I never give in and I keep going.

"My motto is you can do it, Olive," she added.

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