Eleven of the South’s oldest residents, with a combined age of 1,116 years, enjoyed a rare opportunity to talk face-to-face about their long lives.
A centenarians’ party, held at Belmore Lodge care home in Lymington, gave guests a chance to get to know each other, share stories and reflect on youth, adulthood and ageing.
It is the third year in a row that care home provider Colten Care has staged a dedicated gathering to honour residents aged 100 and over from across its family of homes.
In co-ordinated minibus trips, guests travelled to Lymington from Braemar Lodge in Salisbury, Abbotts Barton in Winchester and Kingfishers in New Milton.
Around the table were military veterans including a Royal Navy Commander who served in the D-Day landings in 1944, a former Whitehall civil servant and Dorset county councillor, ex-community volunteers and, of course, multiple great grandparents.
Talking points at the celebration included secrets of longevity.
While Beryl Shirley, 100, from Kingfishers, cited “lots of sea swimming,” fellow Kingfishers resident Alan Havelock, 101, credited his time in the Royal Air Force with helping him develop the “independence and resilience” that have stayed with him throughout his life. “The RAF taught me how to look after myself,” he said.
For Marjorie Beaven, 101, from Abbotts Barton, love and laughter have played an important part. Reflecting on her marriage, she said: “Having a lovely man, I was married for 63 years, lots of laughter. I also must have good genes.”
Meanwhile, D-Day veteran Douglas Parish, 101, from Braemar Lodge, offered a more mischievous thought about living so long. With a smile, he said: “The secret to my longevity… is that I have failed to die!”
Amelia Bunce, 105, who lives at Belmore Lodge, said the gathering was a great success, adding: “It’s amazing to have so many people around the same table who have reached 100.”
Joining Beryl, Alan, Marjorie, Douglas and Amelia were Patricia Dartnell, 104, Henry ‘Paul’ Cavanagh, 103, Kathleen Karnehm, 101, and 100-year-olds June Price, Daphne Hopewell and Betty McNie.
Befitting the occasion, Belmore Lodge chefs prepared an elegant afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, Scotch quail eggs, quiches, madeleines, cheesecakes, blackcurrant meringue tarts and scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Each guest received a commemorative 1926 penny as a keepsake while Belmore Lodge Home Manager Janie Wilkins read out a poem celebrating centenarians.
Janie said: “The world has changed beyond all recognition in the century since these amazing ladies and gentlemen were born in the 1920s. Bringing them together for good food and conversation about their lives reflects our commitment to ensuring residents enjoy meaningful experiences and feel valued, celebrated and connected to others.”
Janie’s comments were echoed by Emily Hudson, Senior Companionship Team Leader, who added: “It’s such a privilege to bring together residents who have lived through so much history and have so many wonderful stories to share. Reaching 100 is an incredible milestone but it’s not just the number. It’s about recognising and honouring the person as they are now. It was a really special day, one I’m proud to have been part of and witness.”
Across Colten Care’s 21 care homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex, there are currently 61 residents aged 100 or more.
