“Dry white wine with one cube of ice” – care home resident shares wisdom on 101st birthday

101-year-old Sutton Coldfield care home resident share the secret to a long and happy life.

Winfred Morris, known as Winn, from Care UK’s Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, celebrated her big day on the 11^th of May with a special surprise birthday party.

Reflecting on her many happy years, Winn shared her wisdom on how to live a long and happy life, stating: “A lot of good luck and good fortune!

“My family keeps me going and my evening ritual of a glass of white wine with one cube of ice surely has contributed to my longevity. Additionally, Bishops Manor has played a significant role in maintaining my independence and boosting my confidence.”

To celebrate the occasion, the talented chefs at Bishops Manor made a special birthday cake for Winn to share with her friends and fellow residents. Ensuring the scene was set for the birthday party, the team decorated the home’s lounge with birthday banners and balloons – much to Winn’s surprise.  

Winn was born in 1923 in Ladywood, Birmingham. After sadly losing her parents at a young age Winn and her brother were raised by their grandmother. One of her favourite childhood memories were family holidays to Rhyl, North Wales, where her favourite uncle treated them to toffee apples and homemade ginger beer.

Leaving school at age 14, Winn began her career as an office junior. Only four years later, on the 2^nd December 1941, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force serving for five years. Winn still remembers her WAAF number, 2062915.

In 1951 Winn married her husband, Jack. She loved being whisked away on adventurous trips on the back of Jack’s motorbike. She fondly remembers being on the back of Jack’s motorbike on the way to meet his mother. Winn got dirt on her clothes and when Jack's mother greeted her, she humorously said: “It’s very nice to meet you, Winfred. Would you like a wash?”

Together, Jack and Winn have two daughters, Jackie and Sue. They also have four grandchildren, Vicki, Mark, Andrew and Katie, and five great-grandchildren, Toby, Jemma, Lilah, Willow and Blake who all visit Winn at Bishops Manor regularly.

At Bishops Manor, Winn is a social butterfly and takes part in many activities from scrabble in the bistro with her daughter Sue to yoga and boxercise classes. In her younger years, she and her husband Jack loved to dance together, and she still loves to dance, especially when there is musical entertainment in the home.

Thomas Bampfield, General Manager at Bishops Manor, said: “Winn is a beloved resident here at Bishops Manor and we’re so proud to have hosted her 101^st birthday.

“We work hard to support residents to lead fulfilling lives, and marking special occasions such as birthdays plays a huge part in this. We love any excuse to celebrate the amazing people living at the home. Everyone had a wonderful time toasting to Winn’s birthday and listening to her share memories from her long and happy life.”

“It’s a privilege to have Winn as part of the Bishops Manor family – happy 101^st birthday!

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