101-year-old Eye care home resident celebrates second year as a centenarian

A 101-year-old Eye care home resident has celebrated his second year as a centenarian.

Reginald Gladwell, known as Reg, from Care UK’s Hartismere Place on Castleton Way, marked his 101^st birthday on 10^th June. 

To celebrate the occasion, the team at Hartismere Place prepared an afternoon tea for Reg, his grandson, and fellow residents. The home’s chef, Doreen, also created a garden themed birthday cake for the special milestone.

Reg said: “The team are wonderful. I couldn’t have had a better day.”

Marie Reeve, Home Manager at Hartismere Place, added: “We had a wonderful time celebrating Reg’s milestone birthday with his family and friends at Hartismere Place.

“We always strive to support residents to lead fulfilling lives and celebrating milestone birthdays plays a huge part in this. We love nothing more than an excuse for a party, and a reason to celebrate the wonderful people we have living here at Hartismere Place.

“Reg is a much-loved resident at the home, and always has a story to tell! We were delighted to be able to raise a glass with him for his special day.”

Reg was born in Rickinghall and moved to Stowmarket as a young boy, where he spent most of his life. After leaving school, Reg trained as a builder’s apprentice at Needham Market before being called for military service in the Second World War. Reg served in the Royal Army for four and a half years, and visited more than 28 countries including Egypt, Italy, Germany and France.

Reg always loved gymnastics, which he did while in the Boys Brigade. While in the Army, Reg remembers being caught by the corporal for being in the gym out of hours, practicing gymnastics on the parallel bars. 

After the war, Reg returned to the building trade in Stowmarket, and married Muriel in 1945. They went on to have two children together, named Rosemary and Jean.

In 2022, Ray moved to Hartismere Place, where he enjoys keeping in touch with his four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Hartismere Place has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, residential dementia, as well as short term respite care.

To find out more about Hartismere Place, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Angela Hodge, on 01379 888276, email angela.hodge@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/hartismere-place.