A retired nurse has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends at her Gillingham care home.
Peggy, who lives in Fern Brook Lodge care home, was joined by her extended family and friends for a big birthday party at the home on Fern Brook Lane, which is run by not-for-profit charity Care South.
Peggy met her future husband, Jack, a Bomber Command flying Halifax and Lancaster Bombers in the RAF, during a chance meeting at a local pub while he was on leave. After marrying Jack at St Stephen’s Church in Charlton Musgrove in April 1948, Jack’s mother became ill, which led Peggy to care for her until she died two years later.
Together, the couple went on to welcome their daughter, Susan, and the family of three moved to Wincanton. Having previously cared for her mother-in-law, Peggy volunteered to care for the elderly at her local hospital during ‘The Big Freeze’ in the winter of 1963 when there was a staff shortage. She went on to work there for seven years, later qualifying as a nurse and transferring to Wincanton and East Somerset Memorial Hospital for 20 years until she turned 60.
Asked what the secret is to turning 100, Peggy said: “Hard work and keep going even when you are tired. I don’t complain too much. I’m happy at Fern Brook Lodge, and I’m able to do a lot myself. I do persevere. I enjoy knitting and reading, and used to enjoy dressmaking. I also have a wonderful family.”
Sara Maynard, Home Manager at Fern Brook Lodge care home, said: “Peggy is an incredible lady with a fantastic memory who always has a big smile on her face. As a team, we are keen to enable her to continue doing things for herself, while always offering a helping hand, should she need any extra support. It was a privilege to see her singing, dancing and having a laugh while surrounded by her friends and family at her party. At Fern Brook Lodge, we love making every resident feel special on their birthday and particularly like going the extra mile when they become a centenarian.”
Fern Brook Lodge provides residential, respite and dementia care. A dedicated activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.
The care home hosts its Memory Café sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm for people living with dementia and their carers. The sessions are supported by Age UK North, South and West Dorset and offer the opportunity to talk to other like-minded people. There is no need to book – just drop in on the day.
Care South is a not-for-profit provider of high-quality residential care homes across Dorset, north Devon and Somerset, with care at home offices covering Dorset and Somerset.
For more information about the care services available at Fern Brook Lodge, go to care-south.co.uk or call 01747 449812.
