Nelly Kelly celebrates her 100th birthday with more than 150 cards from the Wigan community

A much-loved Ashton-in-Makerfield care home resident has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by music, family, friends and more than 150 birthday cards from people across the local community.

Nelly Kelly reached the incredible milestone on Tuesday 1st September, celebrating her 100th birthday at Ashton View Care Home in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan.

The team at Ashton View had hoped to make Nelly's milestone birthday extra special by asking the local community to send her birthday cards. What followed was a wonderful response, with more than 150 cards arriving for Nelly, including one very special card from The King, which Nelly was delighted to receive.

A century of memories

Nelly was born in Atherton, Manchester, on 1st September 1926, and was one of 13 children.

Over her 100 years, Nelly has built a lifetime of memories, including working in the mills before she and her husband Fred bought a corner shop in Platt Bridge.

The shop became known as Mrs Kelly's and was a favourite with local customers, particularly children who enjoyed its sweets, penny tray and fruit bubble gum machine outside. Customers even received a free piece of bubble gum every fourth turn.

Nelly has plenty of stories from her time running the shop, including remembering chasing a few shoplifters over the years! She also has fond memories of days out to Southport with Fred and has always loved listening to and watching brass bands. Her late son, Geoffrey, was a member of a brass band. Nelly now has a grandson, Chris, who continues to visit her at Ashton View.

The community comes together for Nelly's 100th birthday

As Nelly's birthday approached, the Ashton View Administrator, Sarah, launched an appeal asking people in Wigan and the surrounding area to send Nelly a birthday card. The team wanted to give her 100 cards for her 100th birthday, and the response went far beyond what they had hoped for.

More than 150 cards were collected in a special basket at the care home, with birthday wishes arriving from the local community, other Dovehaven care homes and further afield.

One local woman had no connection to Ashton View at all, but after seeing the appeal, she decided to get involved. During Nelly's birthday party, she arrived at the home with a card and a box of beautiful roses for Nelly!

It was just one of many unexpected acts of kindness that helped make the day so memorable.

A party full of music, cake and celebrations

The birthday celebrations began at 2pm on 1st September, with Ashton View decorated from reception right through to the lounge with colourful 100th birthday decorations.

Large '100' balloons took pride of place alongside birthday decorations, creating a special celebration space for Nelly and the other residents.

The Ashton View kitchen team prepared a buffet spread for everyone to enjoy, while a singer provided the entertainment, performing classic songs including Summer Holiday by Cliff Richard. Nelly certainly enjoyed the music, clapping along to the songs throughout the whole performance, enjoying every moment of her special afternoon!

The celebrations were also joined by family members of other Ashton View residents, who came along to help Nelly mark the incredible milestone.

The birthday cake was another special part of the afternoon, with a member of staff from a neighbouring Dovehaven Home, Kieron from Deanwood Manor, making a cake especially for Nelly.

100 years and 150 reasons to smile

For the Ashton View team, seeing Nelly surrounded by birthday cards, flowers, cake, music and people who wanted to celebrate with her made the afternoon particularly special.

Sarah, Admin at Ashton View said: “It was really important to us that Nelly had a very special 100th birthday, and seeing how much the community got behind the birthday card appeal has been absolutely wonderful. We’ve had more than 150 cards, including one from The King, and it was so lovely to see Nelly surrounded by all those birthday wishes on her special day. The celebration was a real team effort, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. From the team at Ashton View to colleagues from other Dovehaven homes, Nelly’s family, our residents and their families, and members of the local community – everyone played a part. Seeing Nelly clapping and enjoying the music throughout her party made all the hard work worthwhile!”

Among all the birthday wishes was the card from The King, a particularly special surprise for Nelly who was absolutely delighted.

The team at Ashton View would like to thank everyone who took the time to send Nelly a card, make a cake, send flowers or simply join in with the celebrations.

The response from the Wigan and Ashton-in-Makerfield community helped turn Nelly's 100th birthday into a celebration she (and the Ashton View team) will remember for years to come.

Celebrating the people who call Ashton View home

At Ashton View Care Home, birthdays and special occasions are an opportunity to celebrate residents as individuals and to bring together the people around them.

Nelly's 100th birthday was a wonderful example of this, with the Ashton View team, residents, families and the wider community all playing a part in making her milestone memorable.

Here's to Nelly – 100 years young! 💗

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