A WOMAN from Arborfield said she was “absolutely shocked” by her 80th birthday party – because she knew nothing about it.
On Saturday, September 22, friends, family and neighbours gathered together at Arborfield Village Hall for a special afternoon tea to mark the milestone birthday of resident Rose Cogbill.
The event had been kept as a surprise for Rose who has lived in and around the village for most of her life.
There were fun and games, quizzes and much laughter before a specially created birthday cake was cut – and Rose made sure she went round all the tables to catch up with the friends who had come out to help her celebrate.
The party came just two days after her actual birthday, where she had been treated royally by her daughter, Tracey Cogbill-Wharton.
Rose told The Wokingham Paper that she knew nothing about the secret party held in her honour.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “My friends were taking me out for the afternoon but said they wanted to stop in at the village hall to buy some Christmas items. But it wasn’t a sale, it was this. It was well worth it.
“They told me they were taking me to a high tea, that’s what I thought I was doing.
“It’s nice to be made a fuss of, especially as my husband died seven years ago.”
Daughter Tracey was pleased that so many people had turned out to wish her much-loved Mum a very happy birthday.
“She’s well-known in the community, so it’s nice to make this a special occasion,” she said. “Mum has got involved in lots of community initiatives, she is well-loved around the village.
“Everyone knows her!”
Rose was brought up in School Road before moving to Winnersh for a while, and then came back to the village around 30 years ago.
“I love Arborfield, I wouldn’t go anywhere else,” she said. “I’ve seen lots of changes in my time.”
She might now be retired, but she is still active and is a keen gardener.
“I do gardening, runner beans, tomatoes and cucumbers are all growing in my garden,” she said. “I had 29 cucumbers from two plants, which is good. Had I known you were coming I’d have brought you one.”
Also keeping her active is her dog Heidi: “I walk her three times a day,” she explained.
