Two centuries of seasonal celebrations were to be had in Ashburton this week when two women at Kenwyn Residential Home were guests of honour at an early birthday party. Marjorie Caunter, 97, and Irene Eales, 101, will this Easter Sunday both notch up another year bringing their combined ages to 200. As they will be busy on the big day with families, the home organised a knees-up with plenty of razzmatazz including live entertainment. Easter bonnets were the order of the day. Manager Yvonne Osborne said the ladies were a delight to care for and had plenty of stories to tell. 'Irene has been with us almost four years. She was born in Buckfastleigh in 1909,' she said. 'Her father was a millhand at Buckfastleigh mill and her mother was a cleaner. 'Irene left school at 14 to work in the mill as a weaver.  She met her husband, Charles, at a carnival in Buckfastleigh. He was a builder. 'She is a totally independent lady, still. Actually, she tends to look after everyone else. 'Marjorie was born in Ashburton in 1913, where her parents owned a bakery. She served in the shop and drove the van. 'She met her husband Clifford at school. They married when Marjorie was 23. He worked in the sand quarry where Trago Mills now stands. Sadly he died at the young age of 41. 'Marjorie was devastated at the loss and she also lost her daughter Anne in recent years. 'Before she came to Kenwyn, just over a year ago, she cared at home for her son Barry, who is disabled.' Despite her troubles Mrs Caunter said the secret to a long life was keeping happy and always having a smile on your face. According to Mrs Eales, it was keeping active. 'She has always liked long walks and even now does her exercises before she gets going on a morning,' said Mrs Osborne.