‘Faith helps me remain positive,’ says former farmer on 100th birthday

A WOMAN who spent the majority of her life in Hambleden has turned 100.

Jeanne Keene, who was born on July 14, celebrated her birthday at Chiltern Grange Care Home in Stokenchurch, where she now lives.

More than 40 friends and family members brought bouquets of flowers, presents and cards, and enjoyed an afternoon tea.

Mrs Keene was born in Aylesbury and remained there until she enlisted in the Land Army at around 20 years old, serving for three years in Marsh Gibbon, Bicester.

She said: “Life was much easier than it was for most people because we had our own chickens, pigs and cows. We were not in an area that had the full force of any bombs but everybody was aware and we did things to help.”

She completed a degree in rural science at Aberystwyth University before her first job in the Buckinghamshire Young Farmers Club.

In 1956, Mrs Keene joined the colonial service as a rural education officer at a college in Bauchi, Nigeria. Eight years later she was appointed principal of a new rural college at Minna.

She recalled: “I was working at a college for ordinary teachers who wanted to try to learn how to control the soil and learn about sustainability and business. One of the best parts of the jobs was that we had to see whether they were putting what we taught them into practice.”

Mrs Keene returned to England and married David, whom she had known during her days as a young farmer.

They spent more than 50 years at Colstrope Farm in Hambleden and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2014.

Mrs Keene said: “We supported various committees and ran things like the village hall. I also joined the Women’s Institute, where I spent time as treasurer, secretary and president over the years.”

She became the treasurer of the United Reformed Church in Pheasant’s Hill from 1970 until it closed in 2016.

She said: “I was always supported by my faith, which ensured I was doing right through whatever I was doing. It helped me remain positive.”

Her daughter Fran, who lives in Fingest, described her mum as an “inspiration”.

She said: “I never thought I would have a mum who’s 100, it’s amazing.

“Mum and Dad gave us such a great childhood living and playing on the farm. We were so lucky.

“They instilled a sense of community in us too, and I’m now a trustee of Hambleden village hall.”