By Press Release
A 105-year-old had a birthday to remember as she was inundated by more than 2,300 cards and a visit from trike and bike riders of the Royal British Legion.
Known only as ‘Joan’, the Blackwater Mill Residential Home in Blackwater pulled out all the stops for its oldest resident. Care home manager, Penny Tyau said: “We put out a request for Island residents to help make Joan’s birthday a special one and we were absolutely amazed at the response, We’re still opening the cards now, we can’t thank people enough!
“There were lots of flowers and gifts as well and the visit from the bikes absolutely made her day as well as her pet Labrador Larry, who is now being looked after by a friend, who made a guest appearance.”
Graham Pearce, who organised the ride-out, said: “I saw a notice put up on Facebook, as so many things are and I mentioned to it my partner Dawn who said it would be a great idea.
Bike and trike riders visit Joan
“It was something special and different for someone who has seen so much in her life. Joan was completely overwhelmed when we turned up, she really couldn’t understand why everyone was making a fuss of her!”
Joan was born in Coventry and was a medical secretary to an orthopaedic surgeon at the city’s hospital for 40 years. She lived in Sandown for many years after coming to the Island for many holidays with husband, Arthur, when he retired as an accountant in 1979.
As well as the visit from the bikes, Joan’s day was made complete with songs from former Hollyoaks star, Sarah Jane Buckley, and Sarah Harris, with a performance by saxophonist, David Plummer.
Header image: Joan aged 105 pics: Michelle Jackson Photography
