‘Fresh vegetables, fruit and walking’ – Angmering centenarian reveals her secrets

There were big smiles – and plenty of cake – at a care home in Angmering when one resident celebrated her 100^th birthday.

Pearl Carlisle, who lives at Care UK’s Ayton House on Dapper’s Lane, marked her new-found centenarian status with a special party organised by the home’s team and including three delicious birthday cakes prepared by Head Chef Anthony Molnar. 

She was thrilled to be surrounded by friends as they came together for her momentous day – and she even passed on some of her wisdom.

When asked for her secret to reaching 100, Pearl said: “It is important to eat fresh vegetables and fruit, and walking. Staying active and being up for anything will give you a long and fulfilling life.”

Pearl was born in south London as the youngest of five children. During the second world war, she wanted to join the Women’s Land Army and contribute to the nation's farming, however her mother would not let her.

Pearl experienced the London blitz first-hand, recounting: “I walked about seven miles back from central London after a raid as the trains were out, only to find my family home had been hit. We had to find a shelter to stay in that night.”

After the war, Pearl joined the National Provincial Bank, now a part of NatWest, where she met her future husband, John Carlisle. 

They lived an adventurous and spontaneous life together in West Sussex, from caravanning to swimming in the sea to Pearl captaining the ladies' golf team at Ham Manor. For her 80^th birthday, she went flying in a glider and thought it was boring because they didn’t do a loop-the-loop!

Pearl has always been one to embrace challenges, and nothing quite matches only giving up her driving licence aged 98 – proving that age is just a number.

Joel Ignacio, Home Manager at Ayton House, said: “Pearl’s 100^th birthday party was a true celebration of her remarkable life. She is such a cherished member of the Ayton House community and it was wonderful to be able to commemorate this special day with her.

“Her sense of humour and can-do attitude have always been an inspiration to everyone here.

“At Ayton House, everything we do centres around our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives – and Pearl’s 100^th birthday celebration was no exception.”

Ayton House is a new state-of-the-art care home providing full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The building has been designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives and includes its very own cinema, hair salon and pub, along with plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.