High Wycombe veteran shares secret to long life

A resident at a care home in High Wycombe celebrating a special milestone has given her secret to leading a long and happy life.

The team at Care UK’s Ridley Manor, in Lane End, marked Molly White’s 102nd birthday with a surprise party, complete with balloons and a cake prepared by the home’s head chef.

Surrounded by friends and loved ones, Molly also shared some words of wisdom.

She said: “I had a wonderful birthday and thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with everyone. I have always thought my secret to a long life is being a hardy Scot!”

Molly grew up in Paisley, Scotland, with her two older brothers and parents. Her childhood was full of activities such as ice skating, tennis, swimming and Scottish dancing. 

Molly always had a passion for making and fixing things with her hands. In 1938, she created a dress from scratch, which was displayed at the Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. 

When she turned 18, Molly put her skills to good use by joining the Women’s Royal Naval Service and repairing planes during the Second World War. 

After the war, Molly moved to Hamburg, in Germany, as part of the Allied Forces' restructuring of Germany before moving back home to “settle down” in 1948. 

Molly met her husband, Peter, at the Evanton Fleet Air Arm Camp in 1944. The couple married in 1950, moved to Marlow and welcomed two children, Jane and Ian. After the children grew up, Molly began volunteering in Marlow where she would assist older people with driving and organised community events.

Sharing more advice for the younger generations, Molly added: “It is important to keep busy and active, especially by staying involved with the local community.”

Michael Pallister, Home Manager at Ridley Manor, said: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Molly. As a much-loved resident, it was wonderful to mark this tremendous milestone with her. 

“Here at the home, everything we do centres around our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives – and Molly’s 102nd birthday celebration was no exception.

“It was lovely to see how happy she was to be surrounded by those closest to her on her special day.”

Ridley Manor provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including a cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.