A MORWENSTOW woman had her birthday telegram from the Queen delivered to her on horseback.

Anne Tape turned 100 last Thursday. Her grandson, Luke Francis, who is head postmaster at Bude General Post Office, rode the horse from St Michael’s Church to the Falcon Hotel, where Anne, and a number of friends and family, were waiting.

There he made the special delivery.

It is thought to be the first time a telegram from the Queen has been delivered to the recipient by a member of their own family.

Luke said: “She can remember when the postmaster would come to her farm on the back of a horse so we thought it would be nice to deliver her birthday telegram from the Queen on horseback.”

Anne was delighted with the telegram and she celebrated the big milestone with her family and friends.

Anne was born in Lewdon Farm, Kilkhampton to Francis Thomas Colwill and Selina Colwill (nee Golman). Anne was one of nine children.

She went to Kilkhampton Church School and can still remember her first day.

She was engaged to Roy Ledger, who was shot and killed over Holland.

She later went on to marry Bert Tape in Morwenstow in 1945.

She was the organist at Morwenstow during the war, and this tradition has been passed down through the family, as grandson Luke is now the organist.

Anne and Bert had two children, Robert and Jackie. Anne has five grandchildren — Becky, Selina and Andrew Tape and Luke and Anna Francis. She also has two great grandchildren, Bethany Francis and Tee-Jay.

Over the years she has played skittles, been part of the Mother’s Union, WI, Conservative party, and is a great football fan, visiting the Emirates Stadium on her 90th birthday to watch her beloved Arsenal in action!

Luke said: “She’s a Tape, we think she will live as long as she wants! She had greetings from people all over the world. I think it touched a lot of people.”