Over 300 birthday cards for Hilda’s centenary
HUNDREDS of cards and three days of celebrations marked Aaron Court Care Home resident’s 100th birthday. Hilda Fleming, who lives at Aaron Court Care Home, in Ellesmere Port, received more than 330 birthday cards following an appeal from the home. Staff had hoped to get 100 cards to mark Hilda’s 100 years but were surprised when more than three times their target flooded through the post box. Alongside cards from family, friends and staff at the home, contributions came in from the wider community, including pupils from two Ellesmere Port schools. Cambridge Road Primary School and William Stockton Primary School handmademore than 100 cards between them to celebrate Hilda’s centenary. Two days before her birthday, more than a dozen pupils from William Stockton Primary also visited the home to sing a modern version of Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag. Hilda recently became a Facebook sensation when thousands watched her rendition of the First World War marching song, originally published in 1915, just four years before she was born. The following day, she was treated to a complimentary afternoon tea, donated by Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port, where Hilda and guests had their own private room overlooking the docks. On her birthday, Friday, 19th April, Hilda received a hand massage and manicure from Charlotte Goodacre, a self-employed nail technician. She was then thrown a garden party at Aaron Court Care Home, attended by family, friends, staff and local dignitaries. Hilda was joined by her daughters Barbara Donoghue, who flew in especially from Australia, and Jean Doyle and her husband Paul. Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders and Deputy Mayor Paul Donovan also attended the party. DJ Chris Jones provided a complimentary performance and nearby Fagan’s Café donated and delivered 100 cakes. Hilda said: “I thank everyone who has come and spared the time. I’m very, very pleased so many have turned up. Thank you all for all the effort you’ve put in to make this my day. Thank you.” Lindsey Bevan, home manager at Aaron Court Care Home, said: “We had a brilliant turnout for Hilda’s birthday, with family, friends and local dignitaries all taking the time to come and wish such a special lady a happy birthday. The response we had to our birthday card appeal has also been amazing – far exceeding the original target. Hilda was absolutely delighted to receive so many cards, as well as a special visit and performance from school pupils. The strong community spirit in Ellesmere Port really showed with everyone taking time out and putting the effort in to make Hilda’s 100th birthday extra-special. We can’t thank everyone involved enough.” For more information about Aaron Court Care Home please visit http://www.hillcare.net
Wartime singer Dame Vera Lynn writes to elderly fans
ELDERLY care home residents, Aaron Court Care Home, have been corresponding with popular Second World War singer Dame Vera Lynn ahead of her 102nd birthday. The Forces’ Sweetheart, as Dame Lynn is widely known, responded to an email from the staff and residents at Aaron Court Care Home, in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. They wrote to her about how much they love her music, after spending an evening listening to classic tracks, including “We’ll Meet Again”, “The White Cliffs of Dover”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “There’ll Always Be an England”. They also mentioned the redecoration of a corridor at the home, in which they were planning to hang a framed picture of their favourite singer. Residents were surprised when they received a letter in reply, including a signed photograph. Dame Lynn wrote: “I was delighted to hear your residents have been enjoying my music on Sunday evenings. It gives me great pleasure to send you a signed photograph for the newly decorated corridor at Aaron Court. Please send my best wishes to all the residents.” After receiving the letter, residents Vernon Henry and Hilda Flemming decided to reply with hand-made birthday cards to wish her well for her 102ndbirthday. Staff also arranged for an entertainer to visit the home and perform classic songs from Dame Lynn’s catalogue on the big day. Lindsey Bevan, home manager at Aaron Court Care Home, said: “We were playing different songs for residents and when Dame Vera Lynn’s music came on we saw just how much they enjoyed it. One resident began singing along and then another and another. Since then, we’ve been playing it in the lounge every Sunday evening. We thought we’d send an email to Dame Lynn through her children’s charity, which supports under-fives with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments. Both the staff and residents were delighted when we received a reply and a signed photograph, which has now been framed and hung in the corridor. Then two of the residents decided it would be a lovely gesture to write back with birthday cards. It’s all been very thrilling for the residents, who are huge fans. We must say a massive thank you to Dame Lynn for taking the time to write back. It has made everyone at Aaron Court Care Home very happy.” For more information about Aaron Court Care Home please visit www.hillcare.net
