CHAMPAGNE and celebrations were in order at a Knowle care home as one of its residents marked a special birthday.
Joan Turner celebrated turning 103 with Solihull Mayor Coun Stuart Davis and friends at Birchmere House on May 22.
There was a whole day of celebrations, featuring live music, champagne and canapes and the Mayor even delivered a toast to Joan.
The centenarian was one of 13 children when she was born in 1916 and she grew up in Moseley with her family.
She got engaged to Kenny Turner in 1937 and she said the main reason for getting engaged to him was because he had a ‘lovely Riley sports car’.
They married in 1938 and Kenny sadly passed away in 1997.
The couple has one son, Peter, in 1943 and the trio moved to Seven Star Road.
She has two grandchildren, Becky and Miles, and four great-grandchildren Luke, Gemma, Tabitha and Isobelle.
During the Second World War Joan spent most of her daytime working at Uncle Ben’s Chemist in Olton while her husband Kenny worked building Spitfires at a factory in Castle Bromwich.
In later years the two owned their own sweet factory C and F Moseley in Marston Green and she remembers helping with the packing and loading of the sweets on a visit there.
In her latter years Joan joined Copt Heath golf club and became a valued member of the ladies team.
She moved to Birchmere House in 2010 and received a beautiful letter from the queen on her 100th birthday.
When asked for her top tip for living to 103 she said: “Always eat your greens and wash them down with a drop of champagne.”
Over the years Joan has enjoyed playing bridge and tennis, going to the theatre to watch the ballet and opera and has had a keen interest in health and beauty.
