Knutsford care home residents share secrets to long lives as they celebrate centuries

Three centenarians at a care home in Knutsford have given their advice on how to lead long and happy lives as they reached major milestones.

Care UK’s Cranford Grange, on Hall Lane in Mobberley, was filled with balloons, cake and music in celebration of Derek Blane and Averell Oliver both turning 100 as well as Evadne Beardsmore marking her 101st birthday.

 

The trio were thrilled to be surrounded by their closest friends and family and took the chance to look back on their extraordinary lives and share the habits that have kept them going for more than a century.

Derek was born in Sale and made history as the first baby delivered at Ashton Maternity Home – earning him the middle name “Ashton”. He attended Manchester Grammar School and joined the RAF during the second world war, serving as a navigator in South Africa. One of his favourite stories from that time is trying out ostrich riding while stationed overseas.

When the war ended, Derek joined Imperial Chemical Industries as a chemist before moving into personnel and eventually working on industrial tribunals. He also chaired the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, an independent wildlife charity working across cheshire for a number of years, reflecting his passion for the environment.

Derek was married to his wife, Joan, for more than 60 years. Together they shared a love of travel, good food and fine wine – passions Derek still enjoys today. He has three children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and one of his proudest moments was flying over Manchester in a four-seat Cessna Skyhawk with his great-grandson Louis – at the age of 91.

When asked his secret to a long life, Derek said: “A good routine, self-care and a glass of wine with dinner.”

Averell was born in Flixton and, apart from her time at catering college in Edinburgh, has always called Cheshire home. She married Bobby Oliver in 1953 and raised four children: Mary, Johnny, Sarah and Lulu.

Throughout her life, Averell has been known for her community spirit. She volunteered for the NSPCC, earning a certificate recognising her dedication, and worked for many years at Wilmslow’s Charity Christmas Card Shop. She also loved gardening and was an active member of Sutton Garden Club, visiting some of the country’s best-known estates including Highgrove, Tatton Park and Chatsworth House.

Averell shared: “First and foremost, I reckon I am so well because of the wartime diet and having to walk everywhere.

“I keep myself active and busy – walking every day, keeping up with friends, reading the newspapers, playing bridge, taking part in the weekly quizzes at Cranford and keeping an eye on my stocks and shares going up and down!”

Evadne was born in Yorkshire. Passionate about helping others, she pursued a career in nursing and midwifery, which she began at St Thomas’s Hospital in 1943. 

During the second world war, Evadne was part of the Women’s Voluntary Services, where she oversaw the meals-on-wheels offering for injured soldiers. Evadne’s career saw her work as a land girl through the London Blitz and D-Day, during which time she can recall seeing both Winston Churchill and members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 1945. 

After the war, Evadne married her late husband, David, and the couple went on to raise two daughters. Today, Evadne has five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who all regularly visit her at Cranford Grange.  

Her advice for living a long life is simple: “Always think of others and put them before yourself. A great sense of humour helps too!” 

Dan Cole, Home Manager at Cranford Grange, said: “It’s been such a privilege to celebrate Derek, Averell and Evadne’s incredible birthdays with them, all within a few weeks of each other. 

“We are blessed to have four Centenarians residing with us at Cranford Grange, these milestones remind us how much history and wisdom the residents bring to our life each and every day. Seeing them enjoy their celebrations surrounded by loved ones was very special for all of us.” 

Cranford Grange provides residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. It boasts its own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon, and has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage interaction among the residents.