Woman believed to be oldest person in East Midlands celebrates 110th birthday at Ashfield care home

A ‘beautiful smile, a lovely character and a determined lady’ is how an Ashfield care home resident celebrating her 110th birthday has been described.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Great grandmother Margaret Young is celebrating the epic birthday at Ashcroft Care Home, Langton Road, Sutton, on Thursday, October 22.

She is believed to be the oldest person in the entire East Midlands and the 13th oldest in the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Margaret was born on October 22, 1910, at West Hill, Skegby, the eldest daughter of Harold and Agnes Moore. Her younger sister, Nora Hallam, died in 2003.

Margaret Young who is 110 -  Picture: Ashcroft Care HomeMargaret Young who is 110 -  Picture: Ashcroft Care Home
Margaret Young who is 110 - Picture: Ashcroft Care Home

Dr John Young is her only son, and she has two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Catherine, and four great-grandchildren, Megan, Grace, Kieran and Finn.

Margaret lived in Skegby until her marriage to John Young, senior, in 1939. They lived in Sutton for the next 30 years, then returned to Skegby, where she lived the rest of her life until moving to Ashcroft in 2012. Her husband died in 1979.

During her younger days worked as a machinist at the CWS knitwear factory in Huthwaite, until her marriage. She was a lifelong member of St Andrew's Church, Skegby (apart from a few years at St Michael's while she lived in Sutton), she was a member of the Girls' Friendly Society, and more recently the Mothers' Union. Gardening and reading were her chief hobbies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John Young says: "Mum has lived so long because she made a point of not letting things get to her, and also because of good genes. She's not the only female member of the family to have lived beyond 90 - not forgetting the excellent care given by the staff at Ashcroft.

"I'm hoping to see her on October 22, reaching her 110th birthday, I'm sure, meets the county council's criterion of only allowing visitors to care homes in exceptional circumstances."

A spokesperson for the home said: “Margaret has a beautiful smile, and she is a big part of our home, she has a lovely character and is a determined lady with a strong mind. She enjoys a glass of sherry, loves looking out of the window to see what others are doing, she doesn’t miss a thing and is quick to call the staff to point out what is happening.

“Margaret enjoys music, entertainment, musical bingo, movies, hand massages and pampering sessions. She especially loves to see children and dogs coming into our home, (before Covid 19) and the children from Leamington School took to her and were amazed at how old she is.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She enjoys town and trips out, loves going for fish, but unfortunately Covid-19 has made things harder this year but Margaret is still happily smiling. She always makes a fuss of staff and fellow residents, giving compliments to everyone, smiling at them, talking and showing affection.”

For Margaret’s special day, the home is planning a special meal in the tea room for Margaret with her son, as a family gathering is not allowed due to Covid 19.

The spokesperson added: “We will have a vintage tea party for her later on with our residents and staff. We will have a sing-a-long/karaoke, balloons, vintage backdrop and banners and she will also receive her 10th card from the Queen which she is always happy to receive!”