Exeter care home resident celebrates 100th birthday

A resident at RMBI Care Co. Cadogan Court, in Exeter, has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Janet Wigmore enjoyed an afternoon tea and cake at the Home with fellow residents. In spite of the pandemic, staff were determined to ensure that she had a memorable birthday, so they safely arranged a small gathering and organised a presentation of photos to celebrate some of Janet’s life experiences.

Janet was born in February 1921, around two years after the end of the First World War, when films were still silent and a loaf of bread cost just 2 pence. She grew up in Grantham, Lincolnshire, where she attended the same school as Margaret Thatcher. In fact, their fathers were well acquainted with one another through the Home Guard.

Janet, who did not retire until she turned 70, was a radiographer. She trained in the “new, cutting-edge technology” of X-rays at Guys Hospital, London. She also worked in Kent, where the local vet agreed to X-ray sick animals thanks to her.

Janet married her husband, Roger, in March 1948 and they had two daughters together. She always took care of her family home’s garden in Exton, and nowadays she enjoys gardening at Cadogan Court, where she has helped transform a flowerbed for other residents to enjoy.

Gardening has been a real help for Janet during the pandemic, maintaining both her physical and mental wellbeing. As well as providing a healthy pass time, Janet has bonded with a fellow gardener at Cadogan Court, and their friendship has bloomed as well as their flowers. Staff often delight in seeing Janet and her friend, Pat, together in their garden, whatever the weather.

Emma Allan, Activities Coordinator at Cadogan Court, said:“Celebrating a centenarian has been an absolute honour and pleasure for all the staff and residents able to attend her afternoon tea party. The gathering and Janet’s delighted reaction to the celebrations lifted all our spirits.”

RMBI Home Cadogan Court, in Exeter, is run by RMBI Care Co., part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The Home is currently able to safely welcome new residents. For more information, please visit: http://www.rmbi.org.uk/