DOZENS of superheroes made an appearance at a surprise party to celebrate a woman’s 40th birthday.

Hema Williams was expecting a fancy dress party for a few friends in the garden of her home in Grove Road, Sonning Common, so had dressed as Wonder Woman.

But husband Lee had transformed her Jaguar into “Wonder Woman-Mobile” and drove her to Badgemore Park Golf Club in Henley, where they were greeted by around 200 friends and relatives dressed as superhero characters. Among them was Mr Williams’ grandmother, Gertie Haywood, who turned 100 on April 28 and was dressed as Super Gran.

Mrs Williams said: “It was a wonderful surprise. I didn’t expect so many people. There were friends from Brighton and Hove, London and Glasgow. It was lovely to see everyone all dressed up. Lee did very well to keep it all from me.”

The couple’s children, Jack, 10, and Lalina, six, were among more than 60 youngsters who had their faces painted and performed a superhero dance for the guests.


Mrs Williams, who works in Reading for IT solutions provider Verizon, was presented with a This Is Your Life-style book of anecdotes and her husband and his friend Tom McBride sang Frank Sinatra and Carpenters’ songs from a stage. She thanked Luana Stephenson who worked round the clock for three days to create her Wonder Woman costume.

“I am very lucky to have such great friends and family who know how to party,” said Mrs Williams. “I am particularly blessed to have a fantastic husband who will be rewarded for some time.”

Published 24/05/10