A care home in Oxfordshire has been filled with double the joy after celebrating the remarkable 100th birthdays of two of its cherished residents within the same month.
Double the Celebrations at Launton Grange
Launton Grange Care Home in Bicester hosted not one, but two milestone parties in November for residents Catherine 'Kate' Nicholls and Barbara Marsh. Both women were born in 1925, and the home's staff worked tirelessly alongside families and the local community to create truly special days for each centenarian.
Kate's Glamorous Afternoon Tea
The celebrations began on November 8 when Catherine 'Kate' Nicholls marked her century. She was surrounded by an impressive gathering of 27 members of her family for a glamorous private afternoon tea held at the home.
Following the event, Kate's children, Moira, Angela, and Peter, expressed their gratitude. They praised the staff's hard work, noting how beautifully the room was decorated and how delicious the cakes were. "The staff have always been so thoughtful to mum during her residency, and the party made her feel so loved and cherished," they said.
Barbara's Lively Traditional Party
Later in the month, on November 28, fellow resident Barbara Marsh enjoyed her own lively celebration. Family and friends joined her for a traditional birthday party, where the home prepared a generous buffet featuring many of Barbara's favourites.
The spread included classic vol-au-vents and cheese and pineapple sticks. During the festivities, Barbara stood to thank her guests, joking: "It has been a great afternoon, and I hope you have all had enough to eat, because we are not giving away doggy bags!"
A Community Effort
The celebrations were bolstered by a touching gesture from the local community. Teachers and children from Glory Farm School created colourful, handmade birthday cards for both centenarians, a gesture that was warmly received and deeply appreciated by Kate and Barbara.
Reflecting on the month's events, Annie Merry, Front of House Manager at Launton Grange, said: "To be able to celebrate these ladies is a privilege. Few people are lucky enough to celebrate turning 100, so I was sure I wanted to make it very special for our ladies. I hope that the parties showed both ladies how loved they are by not only their families but also by us all here at Launton Grange."
