‘Take everything in your stride’ – local care home resident reveals secret to long life on 100th birthday

A resident at a care home in Crowborough celebrated his 100^th birthday by sharing the secret to a long and happy life.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Heather View, on Beacon Road, when resident Frank Ward celebrated his 100^th birthday in style and revealed his secret to longevity was ‘be happy and healthy, and take everything in your stride.’

 

To celebrate the big day, the home decorated the home’s bistro with balloons and banners, and the home’s talented chef baked a special birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

Frank was born in Spondon, Derbyshire, but his family moved to Plymouth where he’s spent most of his life. Living on the coast, Frank’s interest led him to become an Officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. After the war, Frank joined the BBC Research Department as an Acoustical Engineer. 

Frank’s pastimes have included sailing around Britain and Europe, and being a part of his local drama group. Frank is also an accomplished artist in pen and ink drawings, and he still enjoys joining in with regular drawing sessions at the home. 

Frank was joined for his birthday by his wife, Celia, son, Julian and his two grandchildren. 

Frank said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday celebrations – thank you for everyone who helped me celebrate. I certainly do not feel 100-years-old!”

Natasha King, Home Manager at Heather View, said: “Frank is vibrant and much-loved resident here at Heather View and it was fantastic to help him celebrate this incredible milestone.

“We always like to mark significant milestones at Heather View because everything we do is centred around our aim of helping residents have active and fulfilling lives. Frank’s 100^th birthday was no exception. On his special day, it was wonderful to raise a glass together. Cheers to Frank!”

Heather View 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, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite and palliative care. The home has its own space for activities, as well as a cinema, sensory room and café. 

To find out more about Heather View, please call Customer Relations Manager Gailynne Peters, on 01892 883 574 or email gailynne.peters@careuk.com.

For more information about Heather View, visit: careuk.com/heather-view.