Centuries of birthdays at County Durham care home

CENTURIES of birthdays have been celebrated at a County Durham care home as several residents marked their milestones in February.

A Mardi Gras party was held at Pelton Grange Care Home, on Front Street, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, to commemorate almost 450 years of birthdays among five residents.

Ann “Nancy” Jones turned 101 on 24^th February, Norma Wright was 86 on 25^th, Lucy Harrison was 86 on the 21^st, William “Bill” Knox was 74 on the 25^th, and Muriel Elliot was 94 on 12^th.

They were joined by their fellow residents for a New Orleans carnival-like celebration, which saw everyone donning feather boas and masks, listening to traditional Mardi Gras music, singing karaoke, and enjoying a buffet with lots of cakes and candles.

Lucy said: “I love it here. Everyone makes such an effort to make sure we’re happy. What a brilliant afternoon.”

Nancy, who celebrated her century at the care home last year, said: “What a lovely party for our birthdays. The buffet was so nice. You can’t fault the girls. It was lovely.”

After last year’s celebration, Nancy was asked her secret to a long life, which she put down to “working hard” in the Post Office and washing floors for a tuppence during her younger years.

She said: “I never thought I would get to 100 and can’t understand it. I did not expect it. I feel good for my age though. My secret is working hard. I worked all my life and had support from my family.”

Fiona Wilson, home manager at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “Everyone loves a party at Pelton Grange and Mardi Gras was a great idea.

“It was such a wonderful afternoon and it was wonderful to see how much our residents enjoyed the big party.”