CENTURIES of birthdays have been celebrated at a County Durham care home as several residents marked their milestones in February.
A Mardi Gras party was held at Pelton Grange Care Home, on Front Street, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, to commemorate almost 450 years of birthdays among five residents.
Ann “Nancy” Jones turned 101 on 24th February, Norma Wright was 86 on 25th, Lucy Harrison was 86 on the 21st, William “Bill” Knox was 74 on the 25th, and Muriel Elliot was 94 on 12th.
They were joined by their fellow residents for a New Orleans carnival-like celebration, which saw everyone donning feather boas and masks, listening to traditional Mardi Gras music, singing karaoke, and enjoying a buffet with lots of cakes and candles.
Lucy said: “I love it here. Everyone makes such an effort to make sure we’re happy. What a brilliant afternoon.”
Nancy, who celebrated her century at the care home last year, said: “What a lovely party for our birthdays. The buffet was so nice. You can’t fault the girls. It was lovely.”
After last year’s celebration, Nancy was asked her secret to a long life, which she put down to “working hard” in the Post Office and washing floors for a tuppence during her younger years.
She said: “I never thought I would get to 100 and can’t understand it. I did not expect it. I feel good for my age though. My secret is working hard. I worked all my life and had support from my family.”
Fiona Wilson, home manager at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “Everyone loves a party at Pelton Grange and Mardi Gras was a great idea.
“It was such a wonderful afternoon and it was wonderful to see how much our residents enjoyed the big party.”