Rose Court care home holds party for 101-year-old resident

A resident at Rose Court care home in Southwark celebrated her 101st birthday last week with a party for her relatives, friends, and staff along with a special visit from the Mayor of Southwark.

Mrs Violet Butler blew out her 101 candles at a party held for her at Anchor’s Rose Court care home on Lower Road in Southwark where she has lived for nearly two years.

In celebration of her incredible milestone, Mrs Butler was treated to a party with family and friends organised by the team at Rose Court care home. Mrs Butler received beautiful birthday cards from friends, well-wishers, and Anchor’s Chief Executive Jane Ashcroft. Mrs Butler also enjoyed tucking into a specially prepared birthday cake and some champagne with her family and other residents at Rose Court care home. 

Along with the treats and presents, Mrs Butler was delighted to receive a very special guest, Councillor Barrie Hargrove, Mayor of Southwark. Councillor Hargrove and his wife, Mayoress Mary Doherty MBE, joined Mrs Butler via Zoom to wish her a happy birthday.

Mrs Butler was born in Bermondsey in 1920 and lived for many years in Rotherhithe with her husband, Ted. During the war, Mrs Butler worked in the London Docks building ships for the Royal Navy before working at the PeackTreans Biscuit Factory. She moved to Rose Court care home in February 2020.

Mrs Butler said: “What a day, I can’t quite believe I’m 101! Turning 100 was a big event but getting to 101 is incredible too! I’m so happy that I can celebrate today with my family and friends in person especially after the past 18 months. For me, the secret to a long life is to eat healthy foods and to always be happy!

“I’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Rose Court care home for organising all the fun and to our lovely Mayor and Mayoress for joining me with a video call. It’s astonishing what you can do with modern technology!”

Sue Maheshwaree, manager of Rose Court care home, said: “Mrs Butler is a lovely person, and we’re delighted to be celebrating her 101st birthday with her and that the Mayor and Mayoress of Southwark could join as well! 

“Mrs Butler is a real cornerstone of the community here at Rose Court care home. She loves chatting with every member of the team and is always has lovely stories to tell!”