Walstead Place resident Olive ‘Peggy’ Chinnock celebrated her 101st birthday this month with a family visit, a cake, presents and even a bagpiper.
Home Manager Jacquie Ferguson said that Peggy, who has been a resident at the West Sussex home for 13 years, loves cuddly toys, so was delighted with the bunny we gave her for her birthday, which she named ‘Jolly’.
“Peggy lives with dementia, but is still sharp in mind some days. She loves her family visiting, reading the local church magazines, as the church was and still is a big part of her life. Although she doesn’t always involve herself with all the activities going on in the home, she will tap her feet to singsongs and enjoys a quiz here and there.” added Jacquie.
Walstead Place, rated as Good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), is a magnificent 19th century country squire’s residence, sensitively converted to provide the highest standard of residential care for up to 43 elderly residents. The home itself is located in the quietly beautiful hamlet of Walstead, just a mile from Lindfield, near Haywards Heath.
Peggy, a very hands-on and caring mother and grandmother, was born on February 15, 1921, and has four children and five grandchildren. Her faith, her family and her friends have always been important to her, increasingly so after she was widowed.
She met her husband Bob, who she describes as ‘my one and only’ around the time the Second World War broke out. He finished his teacher training and then spent the war years stationed in the middle east. Peggy joined the Land Army and they married in 1945 once the war was over.
Peggy and Bob enjoyed holidaying in Scotland, Peggy was an energetic walker and conquered several mountain peaks. She was widowed in 1984 but then learnt to drive and really enjoyed the freedom it gave her to visit friends and family.
“Peggy is a character for sure, she is a lovely lady with a beautiful smile, she loves to look her best at all times and enjoys having her hair done every week with our hairdresser. Peggy has a kind soul and her eyes light up when she sees her family which she is so very proud of.” said Jacquie.
“Peggy is still mobile and very independent. She lives by the ethos of being kind to everyone and if down, just sing!”
