A Christchurch care home resident who lives on Royal Close is one of the last people in the UK to receive a 100th birthday card from the Queen. 

Mercia Crighton celebrated her landmark birthday at Fairmile Grange, based on the aptly-named ‘Royal Close’, on Sunday 11 September. Mercia was thrilled to open her card from the Queen, which had been delivered to the care home just days before Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away on Thursday 8 September. 

To her delight, Mercia was treated like Fairmile Grange’s own queen for the day, complete with a tiara, and was joined by a host of special guests for her 100th birthday party. The guestlist included her son, Neil, and his wife, Julia, who had travelled from Sweden to be there and took Mercia out for a special lunch before they returned for more celebrations. Two Dorset Police officers fulfilled Mercia’s birthday wish by presenting her with her card from the Queen, in honour of her late husband, who was a police officer. 

Mercia enjoyed a party, along with her family and her fellow friends at Fairmile Grange, complete with balloons, flowers, cards, presents, banners, bubbly, and birthday cake, with music and dancing provided by Paul Walker.

Kim Butters, Wellbeing Manager at Fairmile Grange, said: “It was certainly a day to remember as we came together to celebrate Mercia’s special 100th birthday. It’s incredibly sad to think that Mercia is one of the last people to receive a card from the Queen before her death, which a lot of our residents are upset about, but it is a very special keepsake for Mercia to treasure forever. We are so pleased that we could spoil Mercia on her birthday and ensure that she could celebrate with her loved ones, as it’s not every day that one of our residents turns 100.”

The Encore team provides care for residential, nursing, dementia and Alzheimer’s, palliative, and respite residents. This includes a dedicated Wellbeing team in each care home who are on hand to organise fun activities to support each resident’s physical, emotional, and holistic wellbeing. 

As well as Fairmile Grange, the Encore Care Homes family includes Great Oaks in Bournemouth, Oakdale in Poole and Hamble Heights in Fareham. 

For more information on booking a tour of the care homes and to learn more about the care services available at Encore Care Homes, go to Encorecarehomes.co.uk