101-year-old Cringleford care home resident shares the secret to a long life

A 101-year-old Cringleford care home resident, and former Oxford university student, has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.   

Avril Powell, from Care UK’s Cavell Court, on Dragonfly Lane, marked another impressive birthday on 26^th April when she celebrated her second year as a centenarian. Reflecting on her many happy years, she revealed the secret to a living past the age of 100 is ‘having ancient genes and a loving family’.

To celebrate the occasion, the team at Cavell Court baked a special birthday cake, decorated the home with balloons as well as birthday banners and presented Avril with some flowers, a box of chocolates and a birthday card in the morning – before she went out for the day with her family.

Avril said: “I had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends.”

Karen Curle, Home Manager at Cavell Court, said: “Last year we celebrated Avril’s birthday in style, her 101^st was no different.

“Avril is a much-loved resident at the home, and it was fantastic to help her mark this incredible milestone with her friends and family. Here at Cavell Court, everything we do is focused on our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, which is why it was important to ensure she got to spend the day with those closest to her.

“It was lovely to raise a glass together for the occasion and toast Avril’s incredible life so far with her extended family here at Cavell Court.”

Avril, who was born in Exeter, was one of two children. After leaving school, Avril went on to study classics at Oxford University, and after graduating worked as a teacher at Sherbourne School for Girls. She married her husband, Ray, the editor of Victoria County History, in 1942 and went on to have four children, Anne, Frances, Nicky and Ted. She later worked on the Medieval Latin Dictionary, and also at the Public Record Office. Avril is now a proud grandma and great-grandma to six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who she loves spending time with. 

Cavell Court is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hairdressers, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation. 

For further information on Cavell Court, please call customer relations manager, Samantha Woods on Court, Samantha Woods, on samantha.woods@careuk.com or call 01324 804726.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/cavell-court.