THE PARTY spirit was in full swing when a Balsall Common care home resident turned 100.
Agnes Bell was surrounded by her family and friends when she received a telegram from King Charles and Queen Camilla to celebrate the momentous occasion.
She said: “I felt very proud, absolutely thrilled to bits and what a bonny photo. I’m so glad my family were here with me when I opened it, I actually think for the first time ever I was speechless.”
Agnes grew up in Oldham in Lancashire where she went to Freehold Council School.
Over the years she worked in her Aunt’s grocery shop in Blackpool and later on she became a telephonist at John Whites Shoe Factory.
She met her husband, Harry, and the couple got married at St John’s Church in Oldham.
The couple moved to Higham Ferrers, in Northamptonshire, and joined the local bowls club where they became quite good bowls players.
Harry sadly passed away in 2002 and Agnes has been a widow ever since.
Agnes came to Balsall common to be near one of her daughters Kate who lives in Solihull.
When asked what her secret is to reaching a century, Agnes said: “Laugh a lot, enjoy a glass of beer/lager and not taking any notice of the doctors.”
Agnes was the first resident to reach the milestone birthday at Harper Fields Care Home.
Hayley Wilkinson, general manager at Barchester Harper Fields Care Home said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone.
“Agnes is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.”
