Sutton Coldfield care home celebrates 203 years of wisdom

A care home in Sutton Coldfield has honoured not one but two incredible milestone birthdays for a pair of centenarian residents.

Team members and residents at Care UK’s Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, came together to celebrate Doreen (Babs) Boyden’s 102nd birthday and Joan Preston’s 101st.

The special event featured plenty of balloons, dancing, family visits and a cake prepared by the home’s chef.

Joan said: “It has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces. All the lovely birthday wishes I have received have truly made my day.”

Joan grew up in Birmingham and lived with her grandparents until she married Ronald Preston.

She worked in the Admiralty as a shorthand typist, later becoming her husband’s company secretary. Joan enjoyed dancing with Ronald and friends – something she continues to do with Babs at Bishops Manor.

When asked for her secret to living a long and happy life, Joan said: “Live life to the fullest and never hold back.

“We are only here once, so make the most of every moment and always choose happiness” – words she continues to live by.

Babs spent her early years living in London before moving to Birmingham during the 1950s. She married her beloved Freddie and together they raised four children: Andrew, Sally, Patrick and Peter. Her 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren regularly visit her at Bishops Manor.

When her husband passed away in 1982, Babs embraced a new chapter in her life by joining a Scottish dancing club, where she made friends and stayed active. 

When asked for her words of wisdom to pass onto the younger generations, Babs said: “Scottish dancing and making lots of friends!”

Jody Sedgwick, Home Manager at Bishops Manor, said: “We love an excuse for a party, and it was an honour to raise a glass to not one but two incredible ladies.

“Babs and Joan are much-loved members of the Bishops Manor family and both have lived such fascinating lives. It was wonderful to hear their stories, celebrate with their families and friends and share in such a joyful double celebration.

“I think we all need to take their advice on board by dancing more and living life to the fullest! Cheers to Babs and Joan!”

Bishops Manor has a dedicated team providing full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead active and rewarding lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including a café, hair and beauty salon and pub. The building has been designed to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.