‘Cheers to me!’ – Retired Poole landlady celebrates 102nd birthday

A resident at a care home in Poole has shared her secret for living a long and happy life on her 102^nd birthday.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s The Potteries, on York Road, when resident Kathleen Turk, who likes to be known as Rene, turned 102 years ‘young’ on 18^th August. 

 

To mark the occasion, Rene, who was a pub landlady for over 25 years, revealed the secret to a long and happy life is ‘finding happiness in the small things and always staying true to yourself, regardless of where life takes you’. For Rene’s birthday this year, the home team organised an afternoon tea party, surrounded by her friends and family and complete with a home-made birthday cake, specially prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Daniel Hartnell. 

Zita Turner, Home Manager at The Potteries, said: “Rene is a well-loved and popular resident at The Potteries, whose fabulous sense of humour is loved by all residents and team members. It was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone with her friends and family here at the care home. Rene has always been an energetic lady and takes part in many of the activities organised by the lifestyle team including exercising and sing-alongs, where she always enjoys a laugh and a giggle with team members.   

“Here at The Potteries, our ethos is centred around ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, and we always like to celebrate important milestones – and Rene’s 102^nd birthday was no exception. It was lovely to raise a glass to Rene and enjoy a big slice of cake on her special day.”

Rene was born on 18^th August 1919 in Weymouth. After finishing school, Rene worked at the Ordnance Factory in Poole where she helped make ammunition for the British army. Throughout her working life, Rene worked in many areas of the food and hospitality sector, including as an assistant in a busy canteen and at a bakery shop. Rene’s favourite job, however, was working as Landlady of two popular Poole pubs, The Bricklayers and Puredrop, where she spent over 25 years serving the local community. 

Rene has two daughters, Jan and Sue, and four grandchildren. Rene moved to The Potteries in March 2021 and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies including reading singing and most importantly, dancing, which she regularly enjoys with The Potteries team members.
 
 The Potteries is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, in addition to the Namaste room, the care home also boasts its very own cinema and hair salon. There is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation. The home has a comprehensive activity programme, offering a mix of themed events and group activities.

For more information about The Potteries, please call Customer Relations Manager, Caroline Hearne, at caroline.hearne@careuk.com or call on 01202 069 835.

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/the-potteries.