Irene from New Milton marks 107th birthday with carol concert and party

A CHRISTMAS carol concert and party have marked the 107th birthday of New Milton Care Home resident Irene Harding.

Describing the occasion as a ‘wonderful and unforgettable day’, Irene was also joined for the celebration by her daughter Wendy and son-in-law Chris. She received a bouquet of flowers from the town’s mayor Cllr Alvin Reid.

Attributing her longevity to regular yoga sessions, which she continued until well after her 100th birthday, Irene was born and raised in Hull, East Yorkshire, where she remained for much of her life.

Her daughter Wendy said: “She has not had an easy life but she always says she has had a good life. Her father died when she was 11 so her childhood was quite hard. Her great love as a child was playing the piano – her family were quite poor so I think someone sponsored her or paid for her lessons.”

Irene left school at 13 and got a job to support the family finances, as her mother was working hard to care for her and her older sister Hilda.

Her first job was in a radio and TV shop where she worked as an invoice clerk. She enjoyed the role but after around a year-and-a-half she moved on to work in the accounts department of a sweet factory.

Determined to progress her career, Irene began studying shorthand and touch tying in her spare time – reaching a speed of 130 words a minute in shorthand. As the top student in her class, she was then offered a job at the excavation company Priestman Brothers, where was promoted to personal assistant to the director.

She gave up work to become a full-time mother after meeting husband Bill at Priestman’s; he worked in the engineering department. They married in 1945, and shared a love of music, both singing in the choir.

They went on to have one daughter, Wendy, and when she moved to the south coast they decided to follow her.

Wendy said: “They were born and raised in Hull, and spent all of their lives there, but when they decided to move down here they did it without a backward glance. They were very happy here.”

The couple were married for 62 years, but Bill died 18 years ago having been nursed through bouts of serious ill health by Irene.

Irene continued to live independently at Waverley House until after her 100th birthday, but after spending a month in Quaker House (now called New Milton Care Home) while Wendy was in France and enjoying the company, she decided to make the move permanent.

Wendy says her mother is “very content” and enjoys the social side of life at the home. She added: ”The care home did her proud. She was presented with beautiful flowers by the care home manager, Ieva Silina, and a huge card signed by all the residents.

“In the afternoon the entertainment manager Vicky had arranged for a group of children from New Milton Junior School to sing carols, and mum was happy to join in the singing.”

“The mayor of New Milton and his wife joined in the celebrations, too, and mum was delighted to receive another card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

“Asking her to reflect on her special day, she said: ‘It was wonderful! I’ll always remember it.”