103-year-old resident Vera Yates celebrated her milestone birthday in style as she enjoyed champagne, cake and glorious weather at her garden party.
To celebrate Vera enjoyed a special birthday party, complete with afternoon tea, freshly made cream cakes and a bottle of fizz to celebrate with the friends she has made at Ash Tree House. During the celebrations, much loved singer, Bradley Fox, returned to Ash Tree House for the first time since March 2020 to put on a special performance of all of Vera’s favourite songs such as Agadoo by Black Lace.
The party was attended by special guest, Cllr Stephen Dawber Mayor of Wigan and his Consort, who personally delivered Vera some flowers and sung ‘Happy Birthday’.
Vera believes the secret to a long and happy life is to have a good hearty appetite, adding, you can’t go wrong enjoying a fine aged whiskey too.
Lifestyle Manager Lorraine Harris, who organised the garden party celebrations said: “There is nothing Vera loves more than a party! Whatever the occasion you can count on her to be the life and soul of the celebrations – so to celebrate her big day, we pulled out all the stops and really made it one to remember, we even managed to get her a cake with a picture of her iced on the top which she loved.”
Vera was born and raised in Atherton and is one of three siblings. She believes family is at the heart of everything and recalls visiting her grandparents in the countryside. After leaving Leigh Baptist School at aged 14, Vera completed a three-year long apprenticeship in Confectionary and eventually went on to own her own cake shop, in the Hindley Green area, named yate's.
Vera said: “It was always my goal as a young girl to open my own sweet shop, my favourites have always been a fan of a homemade cake with thick icing on top - I don’t think I will ever lose my sweet tooth.”
Vera met her husband Earnest at a New Year’s Eve party, and it was meant to be, as they soon after tied the knot in front of their friends and families. The couple had four children and Vera believes raising her family was one of her greatest achievements.
She continued: “My birthday party has been a complete blast. I loved every minute of my party, and it was so good to listen to live music again in the garden. I also loved my birthday cake; it had my face on which really made me chuckle as everybody sang to me. I am hugely grateful to the team; they did a fabulous job.”
Home Manager Chris Durnan said: “I am beyond happy that Vera enjoyed her party. Bringing a smile to my resident’s faces is all I can ask for and we always make a fuss on their birthdays. I know that Vera was over the moon to have a garden party and the weather was glorious too – seeing Vera and her family sharing a special birthday visit was also a huge high point of the day.”
