‘Gin and tonic, and the occasional Sherry’– the secret to a long life according to a West Drayton re

Home news

Feb 20, 2020

Cheers to Daphne – a resident at a West Drayton care home celebrated her 100^th birthday and revealed the secret to living a long life.

Birthday celebrations were in full swing at Care UK’s Franklin House, on The Green, when resident Daphne Read turned 100 years ‘young’. She revealed the secret to living to this impressive age is keeping fit and active – topped off with gin and tonic, and the occasional glass of Sherry.

Daphne was born on 31^st January 1920 in West London, where she lived for almost 99 years before moving to Franklin House last year. She worked as a secretary in her younger years and is a keen churchgoer – she still keeps in contact with her Baptist church friends from Northolt and attends the Monthly Church service in Franklin House.   

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Daphne religiously watches Wimbledon every year. In her spare time, she also enjoys baking. She has one son and one granddaughter.

To celebrate, the team at Franklin House invited the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor David Yarrow, as well as Daphne’s family and friends from the community for a special birthday bash. Guests also had the opportunity to tap their feet to live entertainment from Clive Silverman.

Home manager at Franklin House, Mathew V Mathew, said: “Residents are at the heart of everything we do here at Franklin House, and we always like to throw a party for special celebrations – and Daphne’s 100^th birthday was no exception.

“It’s fantastic to see Daphne celebrating this incredible milestone with her family and friends at the home. She’s been a fantastic addition to the Franklin House family since she moved in last year, and we’re looking forward to celebrating many more milestones!

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Councillor David Yarrow and Mary O’Conner MBE, as well as every member of the community who joined us on the day, for making the day so special for Daphne.”

Franklin 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 nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short term respite care.

For more information on Franklin House, please call home manager Mathew V Mathew on 0333 4343 031, or email mathew.mathew@careuk.com

For general information please visit, careuk.com/franklin-house