100-year-old Sutton Coldfield care home resident shares the secret to a long life

A 100-year-old Sutton Coldfield care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life – “a good cuppa”

 

Joan Preston, who lives at Care UK’s Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, celebrated her 100^th birthday with her friends, family and team members.

To help make Joan’s birthday one to remember, the team threw her a special celebration to honour the secret to her long life – a tea party, complete with a birthday cake and, of course, plenty of Joan’s favourite tea. 

Joan, who moved to Bishops Manor in 2020, was born on 22^nd July 1925 in Birmingham and spent her life in the West Midlands, living in both Yardley and Sutton Coldfield. After the war, Joan worked as a typist, before becoming a secretary and later supporting her husband Ron’s business as part of his accounts team.

An outdoor enthusiast, Joan has particularly fond memories of walking through Sutton Park in her younger years while catching up with friends. 

The celebration was a day of wisdom, with Joan not only sharing her secret to longevity - ‘lots of sugary tea’ - but also her top tips for a perfect brew. “As long as I have plenty of them I am happy, but they do have to be milky with plenty of sugar and if they are made with love even better”

Commenting on her big day, Joan said: “It is really rather brilliant to get to this wonderful age surrounded by the people I love and who love me.”

Thomas Bampfield, General Manager at Bishops Manor, said: “Here at Bishops Manor, we love to throw a party for special milestones – and Joan’s birthday certainly called for a celebration!

“Joan’s a real character at the home; she’s witty, with a real sense of humour that we all absolutely love. Receiving her letter from the King was a real highlight!

“It was wonderful to see Joan surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone. The team worked tirelessly to make sure her day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to enjoy a cup of Joan’s perfect brew.”

Bishops Manor has a dedicated team offering a range of care options, including residential, dementia and nursing care. Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and the building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. It even has its very own café, hair and beauty salon, and pub.