“Don’t suffer fools gladly” – Newmarket care home resident shares her words of wisdom on 100th birthday

A Newmarket care home resident has celebrated their 100^th birthday in style.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Kentford Manor, on Jeddah Way, when resident Rachel Hart turned 100 years ‘young’.

To mark the occasion, team members at the home surprised Rachel with a birthday celebration and decorated the lounge with balloons and banners. The home’s head chef also baked a special birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.  

Revealing the secret to a long and happy life, Rachel said: “Stay cheerful and don’t suffer fools gladly.” 

Rachel was born 19^th February 1924, in Bassingbourn and had five siblings. As a young woman, she trained as a nurse during World War Two and went on to become a midwife. Later in life, she returned to nursing in a school. 

In her younger years, Rachel loved playing sports including, tennis, badminton and cycling. As she got older, she enjoyed going on walking holidays in Switzerland and drawing the wildflowers there. When she was at home, her hobbies included gardening, drawing, painting, crocheting and even knitting her own jumpers. 

In 1947 she married her husband David Hart, and they were married for 62 years. David worked in the civil service which required the couple to move frequently to different places, including Darlington, Edinburgh, Singapore, Malaysia and London. The pair finally settled in Newmarket in the 1970s.

Rachel said one of her favourite memories is while on her honeymoon in Switzerland, she and David went up in a cable car, but they refused to get back in to come down and they had to walk for hours back to down to the bottom. 

The couple had a daughter, Ann, in 1948 and now have two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

One of Rachel’s favourite things is chocolate and a cup of tea. In fact, the only time her family ever remember her getting annoyed is when there were no tea bags in the house. 

Katrina Rayment, General Manager at Kentford Manor, said: “Rachel is a much-loved resident. It was wonderful to celebrate such a huge milestone with her family and friends.

“Here at Kentford Manor, we strive to help residents live fulfilling lives which includes marking special occasions and milestones – and Rachel's 100^th birthday certainly called for celebration. 

“It was fantastic to help Rachel celebrate this incredible milestone with her family and friends and to raise a glass to her – cheers to Rachel!” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Kentford Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a number of suites to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.