Celebrating our centenarians!

Fabulous Frank - 107 years old

Starting with Frank, who is believed to be the 16th oldest man living in the UK today! Frank has experienced some remarkable moments during his life, especially during his wartime service as a Royal Navy Officer aboard HMS Honeysuckle. The ship supported convoys protecting merchant ships and submarines from attack. He recalls one terrifying time escorting two vessels off the Norwegian coast.

“When you saw the German aircraft coming you knew it was coming for you! One time I looked up and saw a plane and knew they were going to bomb us. I could hear a knocking sound and looked down and it was my knees shaking!

The grandfather of ten survived and was certainly relieved to get his feet back on dry land. 

When asked his secret to reaching such a phenomenal age he jokes: “Always sitting down to put on my trousers – if I tried to put them on standing up, I would fall over!

Savitaben – a multilingual Bachelor of Arts

At 100 years old, Savitaben has some impressive achievements under her belt, including graduating with a BA in languages. Moving to our Aashna House Residential Care Home in London eight years ago, she is proud to be the home’s resident ambassador, a role which helps her to keep those languages flowing. 

A home rich in cultural diversity, Savitaben delivers speeches to her fellow residents at the many religious festivals celebrated, translating them into several languages, including Gujarati, Hindi and English.  

She explains: “I feel privileged. It keeps my knowledge alive and is so important no words can’t describe - being mentally and physically active is the secret to my age.

Former magistrate and French teacher Peggy

Social butterfly Peggy moved into our Barony Lodge Residential Care Home in December at the age of 103 – and has just celebrated her 104th birthday!

Peggy, who was still driving a car at 100 and loves jazz music, says the highlights of moving to our home in Nantwich are the new friendships she has made there. And enjoying that sense of continuity, Peggy also receives lots of visits from her lifelong friends, who regularly join her for tea and cake.

When asked her secret to longevity she admits: “I have a glass of wine in the evening – not too many but one a day!” 

Nurturing charity supporter Joan

At 103, Joan moved into our Lyons Court Residential Care Home in Essex in December and is well known for her nurturing nature, taking new residents under her wing. 

Since moving in Joan has been supported by the staff to reignite her love of knitting. She also loves taking part in the home’s Grow Your Own Way project, where the residents plant seeds and nurture the produce for the chef to use in the kitchen, as well as supporting a local collection appeal along with the team and her fellow residents.

When asked what piece of advice she would give to the younger generation Joan says: “Have courage and keep on the straight road. I believe in the phrase ‘say what you mean and mean what you say’.

Glenis – enjoy a little of what you fancy!

At 102 Glenis has lived at our Regent Residential Care Home in Worcester for 10 years and loves the regular animal visits – most recently she was feeding a beautiful six-week-old lamb called LuLu!

“I love all the animals, especially the dogs and lambs,” explains Glenis, who spent her working life as a machinist in a glove factory.

When asked her secret to reaching such a fabulous age she says: “A glass of sherry and miniature Liquorice Allsorts!

From plane crash survivor to television star – it’s Arthur

Amazing Arthur recently turned 106 at our Beach Lawns Residential and Nursing Home in Weston-super-Mare, where he was marked his milestone with a television appearance on BBC Points West, where he told reporters about his miraculous survival during the war, when his plane crashed into the sea at 300 miles per hour.

After Arthur was rescued, doctors told him he would have to have his leg amputated – thankfully, it was saved and after seven months in hospital he returned home.