Family came from near and far to Henry Cornish Care Centre in Chipping Norton to celebrate resident Nancy’s 102nd birthday. 

Nancy was born in West Hartlepool, one of two original towns that now makes up Hartlepool. An only child, Nancy left school at 14 and started work at Thompsons, a chain of grocers. When male colleagues left their jobs to support the war effort, Nancy assumed the role of manager at just 20 years of age.

Nancy loves dancing and met her husband Jesse, an army mechanic who was stationed in West Hartlepool in 1942, at a local community dance. When her husband was demobbed after World War II ended, the couple moved to Chipping Norton and had three children. Nancy worked at Penhurst, a home for physically disabled children and children recovering from common childhood illnesses at the time, like polio. Here, Nancy helped children to become mobile and independent through rehabilitation and physiotherapy. She then went on to work at Cotshill Hospital until her retirement, empowering individuals with learning disabilities to live independently.

Nancy and her husband were keen bowls players and together were founder members of the very successful Chipping Norton Bowls Club, of which she is still a life member. At 102, Nancy is the club’s oldest member, and enjoyed playing for Oxfordshire County right up until she was in her 90’s.

Family members aged 5 to 92, came from near the town and all the way from South Africa for the special birthday party hosted at the care home. They were joined by other residents in the home as well as staff. Celebrations were originally planned for Nancy’s 100th birthday, but had to be postponed due to lockdown restrictions. 

Janet, Nancy’s youngest daughter, said: “The party was fantastic. Activity Coordinator Tina and the care home team really put every effort into the celebrations and nothing was too much trouble. They organised a professional singer who performed residents’ favourites from their youth, the decorations were lovely, and the Chef did an amazing job with the food. The whole team made the day really special and I can’t praise them enough. It is a day we can all remember.”