Mollie Birch, a resident at HC-One’s
Millbrook care home in Stalybridge, Tameside, celebrated her 104th birthday on Tuesday 5th December, and was joined by the Civic Mayor for Mossley, Councillor Tafheen Sharif.
Mollie was born on 5th December 1919 in Manchester. She left school at the age of 14 and worked in the engraving department of CPA in Carbrook as a Roller Painter, produced patterns for cloth.
Having always enjoyed ballroom dancing, Mollie met her future husband Harry through dancing, he was a local dancer, and they even won a competition cup together. They married in 1940, when Mollie was 20 and they had four children together: three boys and one girl. Mollie laughs that she has lost count of the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren she has!
To mark the special occasion of Mollie turning 104, colleagues at Millbrook care home organised for Civic Mayor, Councillor Tafheen Sharif, to visit. Mollie was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, much to her delight, and the pair sat chatting together in the home’s lounge.
Later in the afternoon, children from the local day nursery ‘Little Angels’ visited Millbrook, and brought with them a birthday cake which they had made for Mollie. She was so pleased and blew the candles out with the children.
In her own words, Mollie has lived an ordinary and healthy lifestyle. She has never smoked or been a drinker but does enjoy the odd glass of sherry.
Having lived through the war years, Mollie recalled:
“The rations during the war were enough to keep me healthy.”
Ros Helliwell, Wellbeing Coordinator at Millbrook who helped to plan the celebrations for Mollie, commented:
“I am honoured to be able to organise such a fabulous event for a very special resident and Mollie had such a great day meeting Tafheen Sharif and the children from Little Angels.
“Organising memorable events like this is an important part of how HC-One provides the kindest care.”