Solihull care home resident shares the secret to a long life on 100th birthday

 

A resident at a care home in Solihull shared the secret to a long and happy life as she celebrated her 100^th birthday with the local Mayor. 

A very special celebration took place at Care UK’s Blossomfield Grange, on Worcester Way, when resident Audrey Freakley marked her centenarian status at a celebration that was attended by the Lord Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf. 

To mark the occasion, Audrey revealed her secret to reaching 100-years-old: “Drink your husband’s red wine – my husband used to make his own!”  

Keen to make the day extra special, Audrey enjoyed afternoon tea with her friends, family and special guest the Lord Mayor, before sitting down for a surprise musical performance from local musician, Linda Williams. 

Audrey said: “It was a lovely day and such a surprise to see everyone who had come along to celebrate with me.”

Audrey was born in Edgbaston on 30^th September 1924. Since the age of six, Audrey has enjoyed playing the piano. Although never pursuing piano playing professionally, Audrey quickly developed a talent of hearing songs and being able to play them back without looking at sheet music. After decades of practice in Birmingham and Black Country clubs, Audrey continues to play over 300 songs from memory for her fellow residents at Blossomfield Grange. 

Audrey met her husband, Kenneth, in Sutton Park when she was out with friends. After months of dating, the couple married in 1942 and had four children together; Janet, Theresa, Kenneth and Michael. Audrey has four grandchildren and five great grandchildren who regularly visit her at the care home. 

Jag Singh, General Manager at Blossomfield Grange, added: “Audrey is a much-loved resident at Blossomfield Grange, and we were determined to give her a 100^th birthday to remember!

“With a visit from The Lord Mayor of Solihull, to toasting with a glass of red wine, it certainly was a day to remember, and listening to her share her words of wisdom was the icing on the cake! I think we can all learn a thing or two from her wonderful advice – happy birthday, Audrey!”

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