100th Birthday Celebrations at Winchcombe Place Care Home

Home news

Aug 26, 2015

Birthday celebrations were in full swing at Winchcombe Place care home in Newbury, when resident Kathleen Gibbs celebrated her 100th birthday.

Kath, who turned 100 on 23rd August, was joined by family members, friends and residents at the care home for a special party hosted by the team at Winchcombe Place.  There were many highlights throughout the day, including a personal birthday card from The Queen and a cake which was baked by the care home’s chef.

Denise Cleaver, home manager at Winchcombe Place, said:  “Residents are at the heart of everything we do here at Winchcombe Place, and we always take the time to commemorate birthdays and anniversaries.  In particular, we think it is important to involve friends and family in such important events and to keep to any traditions residents may have around special days.

“Everyone had a fun time joining in the celebrations for Kath’s 100th birthday and the birthday girl had a wonderful day.”

Kath Gibbs was born on 23rd August 1915 in Newbury and she has continued to live in the town throughout her life.  Kath attended the Council Modern School before leaving at the age of 15 to take up a job in the ladies department at Benyons of Newbury, a department store in the market place in Newbury town centre.  She remained at the store for 12 years and on 31st December 1941, she married Robert. Kath and Robert tied the knot when Robert had a 72hour pass from the army.

From 1941 to 1954, Kath worked for Southern Electric as a clerk.  Her husband also worked for Southern Electric as an accountant when he came out of the army.  When the war ended, Kath and her husband rented a house for a few years, before making the decision to build a house of their own.  Kath eventually retired aged 44 to spend time looking after the house.  Married for 57 years, they had no family but were very happy helping others.  After her husband passed away Kath had wonderful friends who made sure she was well looked after.

Over the years Kath has also committed much of her time to supporting her local church, St Johns Church of Newbury, with their activities and services, and members of the church often drop-in to Winchcombe Place to pay Kath a visit.  Kath’s husband was church warden and Kath supported him in this role.  After the war, the church had to be rebuilt and Kath and Robert helped with fundraising for this.

Kath remained living in her own home until she was 99 years old.  After a number of falls, she decided she did not want to live alone and made the move to Winchcombe Place.  At the home, Kath enjoys knitting, sewing and helping in the garden and she generally takes an interest in everything that goes on within the home.

Situated on Maple Crescent in Newbury, Winchcombe Place provides a range of services from residential and specialist dementia care, to short term respite and sensitive end of life care.  

For further information on Winchcombe Place, please call customer relations manager, Amanda Speck, on 0333 321 1923 or email Amanda.Speck@careuk.com.