AN appeal on social and local media – including last month’s Voice – for birthday cards for a centenarian succeeded many times over.
Caring staff at Kingswood Court Care Home hoped to gather 107 cards to match the great age being reached by their resident Joyce.
People in the Kingswood area, including children from local schools and nurseries responded magnificently – and so did folk from around the world.
By the time of her birthday on July 8, the total had topped 1,000 – ten days later it was at 1263 and more were still arriving daily.
The home posted on its Facebook page: “Joyce would like to say a huge thank you.
“When we spoke to Joyce she was so overwhelmed with the amount of love shown and is quite getting used to the fact she is now ‘famous’. When we told Joyce that 1263 cards had been received she responded in her very cheeky way ‘Bloody hell’.
“When we put the appeal out for the cards, we never imagined that we would see so many not only from Bristol and across the UK but also receiving them from America, Australia, France and Canada.
“We have been speaking with Joyce in regards to how we can use the cards and she is considering using them for crafts and activities in the home.
“We will keep you updated and show the results when we have them.”
A birthday party for Joan took place at the home in Soundwell Road, which is run by Barchester Healthcare. The home’s chef, Lee Brimble, baked a special cake.
Joyce was born and grew up in Somerset. She started working in a glove factory in Radstock where she met Stan, her husband. She then worked as an accountant at Babycham, in Shepton Mallet, and was one of the first people to use a Comptometer, the first mechanical calculator. She loved to travel with her husband. Joyce always had a wonderful sense of humour and she still enjoys cracking jokes to make all staff laugh.
Mathan Balasubramaniyan, General Manager of Barchester Kingswood Court Care Home added: “We were delighted to celebrate a truly remarkable woman as she reached this amazing milestone. Joyce is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more.”