Newbury care home resident reveals the secret to living a long life on 100th birthday

 

A Newbury care home resident has made 2024 a memorable year by celebrating his 100^th birthday with a giant caterpillar cake. 

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Newbury Grove, on London Road, when resident Allan Marles turned 100 years ‘young’. 

Enjoying his special day with a slice of birthday cake and surrounded by friends and family, the team threw a spectacular party to ensure Allan enjoyed a celebration to remember.

Revealing the secret to a long and happy life, Allan said to enjoy “lots of golf and a good whiskey!”

Allan was born on 16^th October 1924 in Amesbury. From the age of 16, Allan began a career in the Army where he later became a Second Lieutenant, a role which saw him part of the second wave of the attack on the GOLD Beach, Normandy on 6^th June 1944. After the war, he held a range of military appointments in various locations, including Cyprus, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak. 

Allan’s bravery in the army didn’t go unnoticed, with the late Queen graciously recognising his gallant and distinguished services in Cyprus from January to June, 1959. His work in Malaysia in 1968 was also acknowledged with the award of Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm. 

In 1953, Allan married Beryl Marles and together they had three children, Brian, Peter and Jane, who often visit Allan at Newbury Grove. 

Adarsh Kurian, General Manager at Newbury Grove said: “Allan has been living at Newbury Grove for 18 months now and has been a much-loved resident from the day he moved in. It was wonderful to celebrate such a huge milestone with him and welcome his friends and family into the home.

“Here at Newbury Grove, we strive to help residents live fulfilling lives which includes marking special occasions – Allan’s 100^th birthday certainly called for a celebration. It was wonderful to hear about his military achievements and his favourite memories spent with his family over a big slice of birthday cake – and a glass of whiskey!” 

Newbury Grove has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.