At Redcot, our Haslemere residential care home, resident Joyce Douglas, who made the care home her home in February 2022, has been enjoying her milestone 101st birthday surrounded by her family, care home friends, balloons, cards, gifts and the care home team.
Joyce was born at home at 4.45pm, 20 minutes before her identical twin sister, Mollie. “When I arrived, I only just about weighed 4 lbs,” said Joyce. However, that wasn’t all. “There was big a surprise on its way for my parents, as just as the Doctor left our house after I was born, he had to quickly return as the Midwife called him back to deliver my sister, Mollie.”
Joyce had a wonderful childhood growing up in Mossley Hill, a pretty suburb of Liverpool and, when she was eight, she became a Brownie and since that day back in 1933, she has continued to be involved in the Guiding movement.
“I was a Brownie, then a Guide,” continued Joyce. “I then became a Leader and was also the Vice President of Merseyside South Guides and I’m still a member of The Trefoil Guild, which is part of the Girlguiding organisation, providing a place for former Guides to continue to support the Guide movement.”
“I used to be quite sporty,” added Joyce. “I wasn’t too bad at Netball, but I loved Hockey – I played for my school team and also for Blackmoor Park.” Joyce was very close to her identical twin sister Mollie. “We really were joined at the hip. We had non-stop fun and laughs together,” continued Joyce.
“We used to swap places for each other in lessons – and detentions – and even tried our own experiments. This happened when someone told us that cats have nine lives, and we decided to test the theory. We carefully popped our cat out of the window – which was only on the ground floor – and he landed ‘purr-fectly’ on all fours, so we agreed that it must be true.”
In 1943, together with Mollie, Joyce entered The Cheshire County Training College where her love of teaching began. Joyce had a wonderful teaching career, working in three Liverpool primary schools before becoming the Headmistress of Merchant Taylors’ Junior School, a well-known and historic school founded in 1620 by John Harrison, a citizen and Merchant Taylor of London.
Joyce has been married and widowed twice. Joyce married her first husband, Harry, in 1957, and became stepmum to two stepsons, David and Kenneth. The happy couple also welcomed their son, Andrew – who lives close to his mother in Haslemere.
Widowed in 1980, Joyce married Alan in 1989 and became stepmum to stepdaughter, Alison. “I have an absolutely wonderful family,” said Joyce. “They are all amazing and I’m also a very proud grandmother to seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.”
Joyce has always followed her passions – teaching and giving back to others – from the Guides to the many generations of schoolchildren she taught, and also her devotion to the church and the community. “I wholeheartedly believe that spending time with younger people is an excellent way of keeping young and in touch,” added Joyce.
“Joyce as a Force of Nature and an absolute joy to have living with us at Redcot,” said Latasha Jarrett, the Registered Manager at the care home.
“Joyce will always be one of the first to take part in all of our wide and varied activities. Whether it’s a seated exercise class, an arts and crafts session, singing along with one of our regular visiting entertainers, being a team player in a quiz, getting involved in all of our community events or simply enjoying doing The Times crossword, Joyce is always smiling and up for a chat with all her care home friends and the care team.”
“I really enjoy all of the care home’s community events,” continued Joyce. “I was very pleased when we had a special event to open our very own pub, The Redcot Arms back in 2023 when I was the first resident to be served a drink by the then Mayor of Haslemere, Councillor Jerome Davidson.”
“For Joyce’s milestone and extra special birthday, we wanted to show her just how important she is to everyone here at Redcot,” added Jenny Ryder, one of the Activity Coordinators at the care home. “The weather was glorious, so we arranged a surprise afternoon garden tea birthday party with all her family and care home friends. Joyce not only enjoyed the tasty afternoon tea, but also a delicious celebratory birthday cake, garden games and entertainment courtesy of a wonderful local singer, Charlotte Millichamp.”
“I have had the most wonderful 101st birthday,” continued Joyce. “I’ve been treated like a Princess and spoilt rotten – and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. The weather was beautiful, the birthday garden party such fun and to be able to share such as great day with my family, friends and everyone at Redcot was so, so special.
“I even gave a little speech to thank everyone for coming, for the lovely party and for such a marvellous day. I think I’ve reach 101 as I’m cared for so well by all the care team here at Redcot. I can’t thank them enough for looking after me so well.”
“It was an absolute joy and honour to celebrate Joyce’s incredible milestone birthday with her. It was a special day for a special lady, with the Birthday Girl surrounded by friends, family, laughter and love,” concluded Latasha.
Find out more about Redcot care home by calling 01428 644 637 or emailing [email protected].