'At 100, my independence is very important to me'

The niece of a woman who is playing croquet and golf, dancing, doing yoga and leading a computer group as she turns 100 has described her as a "freak of nature".

Jean Farguson, from Midhurst, in West Sussex, was born on 10 September 1926 and is a former Guinness World Records holder for the oldest competitive female croquet player.

"My independence is very important to me," Farguson told the BBC. "Although, my friends are very helpful."

Her eldest niece Joanne Farguson said she was "inspirational", adding: "I don't think I'll get to 100 or even anywhere near it. She's obviously a freak of nature."

"Jean is our proudest and oldest player," said John West, membership secretary for Lodsworth Croquet Club.

"She puts us all to shame because she's got so much energy."

While she does not consider herself sporty, Farguson said she enjoyed an active lifestyle.

Ahead of meeting the BBC, she drove her three nieces – visiting her from Australia – to her local croquet club in Lodsworth.

She said she took a driving test every three years to keep her licence.

Debbie Farguson, another niece, added: "I remember when she was 65 doing a headstand with my son – we thought that was remarkable."

Farguson was originally born in New York while her father was stationed there as part of the British Merchant Navy.

When his ship was recalled during World War Two, her family returned to the UK and she later joined the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service), she said.

Before retiring, she owned a restaurant with a friend for 24 years.

Only having discovered her love for croquet at 94, Farguson called it a "perfect sport to take up at an elderly age".

She achieved her record in the game on 3 August 2025 at the age of 98, but was beaten in May this year by a 101-year-old woman in Australia, according to Guinness World Records.

West recalled when Farguson drove to the Isle of Wight to compete for Lodsworth Croquet Club last year and then swam in the sea after the game.

"There were people there half her age that wouldn't have dreamt of going out in the water," he said. "Not Jean, nothing holds her back."

Farguson maintained that the key to a good quality of life after living for a century is to resist feeling anger and to stay curious.

"When I forget something, I think 'Oh, well I've been putting new things up there on the shelf and something's had to drop off'.

"I don't want to not learn something new every day."

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