A WILTSHIRE widow is celebrating her 100 birthday on Sunday with only 30 guests - just hours before the Government lifts the Covid-19 restrictions.

The party for Gwendoline Farr comes just 24 hours before the Government’s Freedom Day on Monday, July 19 when all restrictions on public gatherings and family parties are lifted.

The party has been organised by Alan Farr, 68, and his sister, Patricia Knee, 71, for their mother, who lost her husband Clarence last year.

Mr Farr said: “Dad died in March last year at the age of 93 and only ten of us could attend the funeral in April. My 98-year-old mother could not attend due to shielding.

“My mother, who is 100 on July 18 this year, was provisionally booked to celebrate at Hilperton Village Hall with a gathering of around 60-70 people.

“The 21st June was supposed to be unlock day but it didn’t happen and was postponed to July 19.

“By that time, we had already provisionally booked the party for July 18 and the invitations had been sent out.

“There is a lot fewer people than we would have liked but mum is being quite stoic about it.

“We wanted to hold the party on her birthday, so now we are celebrating on Sunday afternoon with a gathering of just 30 people under the current Covid restrictions.

“A further delay at her age is more telling than someone younger. The event would be only 9.5 hours before so-called Freedom Day.”

Mr Farr feels the Covid rules could have been relaxed for his mother’s 100th birthday - particularly when dignitaries were able to fly in from Europe for the Euro 2020 final on Sunday without having to self-isolate.

Mr Farr, who is retired, said: “I think we are living in a two-tier society, where exceptions can be made for bureaucrats from Europe.”

The 100th birthday party will go ahead outdoors at his sister’s home in Trowbridge Lodge Park with only close family attending.

“We have asked caterers to provide afternoon tea, and there will be a speech, a toast with bubbly and a cake,” he said.

The only sadness is Mrs Farr will be without her husband of 72 years, who died at the Trowbridge Oaks Care Home following a fall on Christmas Eve 2019. His funeral was held at Semington, the village where he grew up.