From Tiller girl to amateur photographer, the centenarians of Somerset have a rich and varied history. In this celebration of longevity, twenty centenarians living across the county share the stories and secrets of their long lives.

Having lived through two world wars, coronations, inventions, and other momentous events, the men and women featured in this book are now supported by Somerset Care either in residential homes or independently in their own homes.

Their stories of the past 100 years were captured by Kalina Newman. Her notes and recordings have been turned into a series of narratives about life in a century gone by, brought to life with additional factual information.

The stories are beautifully illustrated with photographs from the centenarians’ own archives, coupled with bespoke contemporary portraits by photographer Anita Corbin.

This book is a celebration of the long and varied lives of a special group of Somerset residents, and as testament to this its production uses county-based resources – from the researchers to the photographer.

Somerset Care is one of the leading independent not-for-profit healthcare providers in the UK and is based in Taunton, Somerset. It celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011, and the production of this book forms part of its anniversary celebrations.The company has 31 care homes for older people in Somerset, Gloucestershire and on the Isle of Wight and provides support every day to many thousands of people living independently in the community.

Kalina Newman spent 20 years as a professional chef before taking a degree in English and Film at Exeter University. She lives in Watchet, Somerset.

Anita Corbin is an award-winning photographer whose portraits have been collected by the National Portrait Gallery. She lives in Wellington, Somerset.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 0 85704 080 0, hardback, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published May 2010.