Lydgate Lodge, which is operated by Ideal Carehomes, celebrated a milestone birthday for a special lady hosting a birthday party in her honour. Nellie Ashton turned 100 on 21 January and enjoyed celebrating with her family and friends and special guest, the Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Paul Kane.
Nellie had a whole day of celebrations, enjoying a party and entertainment with other residents and her friends and family at the home. Her family helped staff decorate the home with balloons and banners in her honour and she was particularly excited to receive a birthday card from the Queen.
Lydgate Lodge is located in Batley and offers residential and dementia care to 64 local older people. Home Manager, Bev Hanson, said “Everyone here at Lydgate Lodge had a great time celebrating Nellie’s 100th birthday. We were particularly excited to welcome the Mayor of Kirklees and Nellie enjoyed spending time with her family. There is always something going on at the home but all the residents love a birthday party! Nellie is a real character and is really popular here with both staff and other residents. She has lived at Lydgate Lodge for over five years and she used to enjoy sitting at the reception desk welcoming visitors and helping out.”
Nellie was born at home in Batley in the middle of the First World War. Nellie came from a big family – she had a twin brother and three other brothers and two sisters. Nellie attended Batley Parish School and then went on to work at Burrows Mill in Batley as a cook. She married Clifford Ashton and had two daughters, Glennis and June. Nellie has always loved animals and when she retired she spent a lot of her time raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind Charity. Nellie enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family, and she now has 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren to keep her busy!
The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Paul Kane, spent time with Nellie and her family and joined in with the celebrations at the home. He said “It’s lovely to be here celebrating this special day with Nellie. I was interested to find out that Nellie used to collect for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Charity as I too used to collect for a dogs charity so we have something in common.”
The staff at Lydgate Lodge like to keep residents busy with the many activities arranged on a daily basis, and they are already looking forward to making arrangements for Nellie’s 101st birthday!
