Beaufort House resident Naomi Vowles celebrated her 103rd birthday on Aug 4 with a party that spread across the entire residential home.

Organised by the home’s staff, the party welcomed Naomi’s friends and family, including her son Philip, and got all the residents involved. Trustee Joshua Hosier attended the celebration and played ‘happy birthday’ on the piano while the residents and staff sang.

Karolina Bialecka-Sokol, head of home, said: “Naomi is very sharp and has a great sense of humour. You can always have a lovely conversation with her and she’s an active member of Beaufort House. She loves horse racing and knows so much about the sport!”

The staff all chipped in to surprise Naomi with a gift box, filled with goodies including her favourite chocolates, a horse-themed mug and socks with ‘103’ embroidered on them.

Born into a farming family, Naomi grew up on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. She was raised by her older siblings after the death of her parents when she was nine, but she recalls a happy childhood on the farm.

In July 1940, Naomi tied the knot to Jack, a farmer, at the age of 23. She later became a land girl to support the war effort, before settling down and having two children.

Naomi and Jack moved into one of Beaufort House’s independent flats when they eventually left the farm around 10 years ago. Now, Naomi is a full resident of the home and spends her time with friends or sitting in her favourite chair on the veranda to enjoy Beaufort’s sunny days.

Pictured above are Naomi Vowles with her son Philip and her niece Gillian.

Find out more about Beaufort House.