A well-known village resident has celebrated her 100th birthday with a day of surprises organised by family, friends and neighbours.
Mrs Annabelle Thomas of Brodawel, Cefn Gorwydd, celebrated her 100th birthday on June 28.
The celebrations came as a surprise for Annabelle, who, following a trip to Janet’s hairdresser in Llanwrtyd Wells, returned to find her home colourfully decorated with balloons and bunting. Her neighbours in Cefn Gorwydd had been busy organising the surprise, before also presenting Annabelle with a vibrant display of flowers.

In the afternoon, friends and family gathered in the Alexandra Hall in Llangammarch Wells for a celebratory afternoon tea prepared by the Dillon family.
Glyn Powell of Brecon and Steve Roderick of Llandrindod Wells presided over a short presentation giving a brief history of Annabelle’s life.

Annabelle Thomas was born on June 28 1922 at Cefn – a hill farm on the foothills of Mynydd Epynt.
When she was five years old, Annabelle started school at Ysgol Tafarn Pridd Llangamarch. The daily walk to school involved a two-mile hike in all weathers and which took as direct a route as possible, across fields and footpaths and over styles.
On leaving school Annabelle returned to work on the family farm.
In 1961 she married Isaac Thomas of Maes-yr-On and they farmed at Maes-yr-On and Penlanlwyd until sadly, Isaac died suddenly in 1979.
Annabelle has been a lifelong member at Gosen Chapel Cefngorwydd and was made an elder there in 1965. She is now the oldest member and still attends services at the historic chapel on a regular basis.
Annabelle is truly a remarkable woman. She is still driving and helps out wherever she can at the Llanwrtyd & District Heritage and Arts Centre as well as being an active member of the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod Committee.
Following the presentation, local children, organised by Michelle Davies and accompanied by Heather Davis, sang ‘Penblwydd Hapus / Happy Birthday’ as Annabelle cut the birthday cake.

Birthday greetings were also given by local county Cllr Peter James; Cllr Kay Coldrick (on behalf of Llangammarch Community Council); and Michelle Davies (on behalf of residents of Cefn Gorwydd). Also present was Cllr Jim Davies, Mayor of Llanwrtyd.
John Davies of Llandybie and Ioan Joshua Mabbutt of Aberystwyth also sang musical items during the afternoon.
A Welsh ‘englyn’ written by John Rhys Evans was presented by Lowri Price Jones of Nantgaredig, and an English poem celebrating Annabelle’s life was written and presented by Hywel Davies of Llanwrtyd Wells.
After the day of surprises, Annabelle thanked everyone who had contributed in any way towards making her special birthday such an enjoyable occasion. A vote of thanks was given by her niece Jodee Fairclough.
Among the attendees at the Alexandra Hall were members of the Lloyd family who now live at Cefn Farm. All five children of Angela and Robert Lloyd have been born at home in the farmhouse and the youngest, Xander John, was born some seven months ago. It was incredible to see Annabelle and Xander together - two people, born in the same farmhouse some 100 years apart.
At the end of the event, everyone present joined in the singing of ‘Calon Lân’ and the blessing was given by the Rev. John Couch.
• All photos courtesy of Chris Pritchard and Elin Mabbut
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