From her bed in the centre of a ward at Bideford’s Torridge Hospital on Wednesday Miss Kate Bayliss held court, surrounded by a company which included the Mayor and Mayoress (Dr and Mrs I J Hewetson). There would have been every excuse for excitement, for this was a celebration to mark the 100th birthday of Katie (as she is known to her friends) but she remained as placid as ever. 

It is a long time since Katie left her home in the Malvern Hills to move to North Devon. During the First World War she and her sister kept the ‘Black Horse’ at Torrington and later they ran a guest house at Instow. Among their guests was Mr R Gale and ultimately, when he married, she went as housekeeper to the family at Fremington. 

Katie had no relative to greet her on her birthday – there is none left other than Mrs Ethel Sewell, of Newport, a niece, who is in her eighties – but there were many friends including members of the Hospital Advisory Committee, some of whom have known her since she became a patient in 1954. 

Her first visitors were the matron, Mrs Mary Morris, and members of the staff including the chef. She sang her favourite song – Grandfather’s Clock – and recited. The melody was heard by guests at the party in the afternoon. It had been played on the radio on Sunday morning by Dudley Savage. 

Katie enjoyed the party fare that had been provided. It included a magnificent cake made and given by Mr and Mrs Fred Patt. Mrs R Foster had written a poem in Katie’s honour and this was read by the Rev R Foster. The Mayor was thanked by Mrs Clogg of Fremington. 

The full Gazette article is dated 1 February 1963