A resident at a care home in Orpington celebrated her 100th birthday and revealed the secret to a long life – a happy marriage.
Birthday celebrations were in full swing when resident Gwen Hammond celebrated her 100th birthday with family and residents at Foxbridge House care home, on Sevenoaks Road, and was visited by the Deputy Mayor and the Deputy Mayoress of Bromley.
Gwen, a former member of the Women’s Royal Air Force, turned 100 years ‘young’ on the 4th October, and was delighted to receive a special visit from Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Cartwright, and the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Kathryn Cartwright. Everyone toasted Gwen’s good health with a glass of wine and tucked into a slice of birthday cake.
Revealing the secret to living to 100, Gwen said: “I can’t believe I’ve reached 100 years of age! I have always eaten sensibly and made sure I’ve kept myself busy and active, however I believe the secret to a long life is a very happy marriage.
“My husband Godfrey was the best – he made me smile every single day and I believe this is what has made me live to 100. It’s important to maintain strong relationships with the ones you love.”
Carol McCormack, home manager at Foxbridge House, said: “We always like to throw a party for special celebrations, and Gwen’s 100th birthday is no exception. Gwen has made many friends at the home and she makes sure to spend plenty of time with the people she loves, which we wholeheartedly support and encourage her to do.
“We’d like to say thank you to Councillor David Cartwright and Mrs Kathryn Cartwright for making the day extra special. It was a pleasure to be able to join Gwen and her family to celebrate such a wonderful occasion – I’m sure Gwen’s birthday card from the Queen will be a topic of conversation for a long time as she was so overjoyed with it!”
Gwen Hammond was born in Coventry on 4th October 1918. During her childhood, Gwen and her family moved to Acton, London. During the war, Gwen was part of the Women’s Royal Air Force and was posted to Sennen Cove in Cornwall, where she met her husband Godfrey.
After the war, she trained in secretarial work and began her career at the Coal Board, near Buckingham Palace. Gwen and Godfrey had two children, Christopher and Susan, and she is now a grandparent to four grandchildren, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Stuart.
Always keeping herself active and busy, Gwen has a variety of hobbies including reading, baking, gardening, and sewing, and is a longstanding member of the Women’s Institute. Gwen has been involved with the church throughout her life, and regularly attends the Hartley Parish church.
Gwen moved into Foxbridge House to be closer to her family in February 2016.
Foxbridge House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.
For more information about Foxbridge House, please call customer relations manager Josh Pearmain, on 01689 769 229, or email joshua.pearmain@careuk.com.
For more general information about Foxbridge House, please visit careuk.com/foxbridge-house.