Care home appeal for 100 crochet flowers

A care home near Salisbury celebrated the 100th birthday of one of its residents by calling for members of the public to donate handmade flowers. The flowers could be crafted using any method, including crocheting.

Who was being celebrated?

Joan is a resident of Ashley Grange care home in Downton, near Salisbury. During the Second World War, she served as a pilot; today, she enthusiastically participates in both singing and dancing when her favourite music plays. She also continues to make a statement with her sense of style, including sparkly outfits and the best quality shoes. Cooking is another of her favourite hobbies. Both staff and other residents at the care home appreciate her sense of mischief and ability to make them smile.

The date of Joan’s 100th birthday was 19th October. She certainly had plenty of help to celebrate, with family journeying from as far away as Canada to join the party, but her main priority was ensuring there was plenty of chocolate and cake on hand for the day. She may have been eligible for a birthday message from the King but the care home staff wanted to broaden the celebration even more to involve as many people as possible, hence the call for members of the public to create their own handmade flowers.

What type of flowers?

Staff at Ashley Grange asked anyone who enjoys crafts to help them celebrate Joan’s birthday by giving her a full 100 flowers to mark her 100 years. The flowers could be drawn, painted, or made from a material such as wool, paper, card, metal, or other pieces of recycling. As Joan enjoys knitting, some donors may have chosen to use chunky yarn from a retailer such as Wool Couture to crochet a flower. Completed flowers could be delivered by hand or posted to Ashley Grange Care Home in Salisbury.

Not many people have the opportunity to celebrate their 100th birthday, which was why Ashley Grange wanted to mark the momentous occasion and show how many people appreciate Joan’s life and her wartime contribution.

Joseph Brown

Joseph Brown