A Lincolnshire care home resident was inundated with birthday wishes from around the world to celebrate her 102nd birthday which took place on Sunday 27th September.
The lifestyle team at Toray Pines care home in Coningsby launched a ‘birthday card for Gwen’ campaign on Facebook aiming for 102 cards to mark her milestone birthday.
Over 400 cards arrived from as far afield as America and Australia – a response the home never expected.
The birthday wishes came from across the UK and around the world, while local schools and community groups have also joined in.
Children from Coningsby St Michael’s School delivered 50 cards for Gwen, while the local Beavers and Rainbows groups also sent cards to help make her birthday extra special.
With hundreds of cards sent, Gwen didn’t tackle them alone. Fellow residents at Toray Pines joined her to help open the cards on her big day.
Gwen said, “I just don’t know what to say, thank you very much.”
The team at Toray Pines also organised a birthday party for Gwen on Sunday afternoon with fellow residents, friends and family.
Sophie Lamming, lifestyle lead at Toray Pines, said, “We knew Gwen’s 102nd birthday was something special, but we never imagined the response would be quite like this.
“To have over 400 cards arrive from people all over the world, as well as so many wonderful messages from our local community, has been absolutely incredible. Gwen has been completely overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness.”
Gwen Chapman was born in Kirkby-on-Bain and moved to Hagworthingham when she was seven. In 1948, after marrying her husband, Eric, she moved to Woodhall Spa, where she lived for more than 75 years before moving to Toray Pines in March 2025.
Gwen and Eric had four children — Betty, John, David and Norman and Gwen is now a proud mum, grandmother and great-grandmother, with nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Gwen grew up working on her father’s farm, where the family had prisoners of war working alongside them, helping to pick vegetables.
Remembering those days, Gwen said, “I had to be very brave.”
After leaving the farm, Gwen worked as a housekeeper at The Dower House in Woodhall Spa, as well as at the Golf Hotel in Woodhall Spa. Later in life, she became a stay-at-home mum, raising her four children.
When asked what she believes is the secret to reaching 102, Gwen’s answer was, “Working hard on the farm and good food – plus a cup of tea and chocolate”
Gwen is rarely without some chocolate in the bag attached to her walker, which she keeps there for what she describes as “emergencies”.
When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Gwen said, “To have more patience.”
Despite reaching the remarkable age of 102, Gwen still has a few things on her wish list.
One of her wishes during her 102nd year is to return to The Dower House in Woodhall Spa for a little visit and afternoon tea to revisit the place where she once worked as a housekeeper.
The team at Toray Pines are hoping they can help make that wish come true for Gwen.
