Laughter is Blanche's secret to long life on her 108th birthday (From Romsey Advertiser)
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Laughter is Blanche's secret to long life on her 108th birthday
4:00pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in Winchester
(L-r) Nurse Lyn Adams, Blanche Rogers and Mayor Frank Pearson
ONE of Winchester ’s oldest residents has celebrated her 108th birthday at the care home where she has lived for the past nine years.
Blanche Rogers was born in September 1904, less than a year after the Wright brothers’ first airplane flight and with the First World War still a decade away in the future.
Blanche, who lives at Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton nursing home, worked as a bookkeeper and was a keen sculptress in her spare time. She still keeps some of the bronzes she made in her room at the home.
Janet Orchard, activity organiser at the home in Worthy Road, said: “Blanche has a great sense of humour and is often heard in fits of laughter and giggles. I asked her what her secret was in reaching 108 and she said ‘laughter and not getting married’.”
Blanche was born in London but moved to Romsey shortly after the Second World War to live with her sister, before later moving to Winchester.
Arriving at the home at |the age of 99, Blanche went |on to play an active role, enjoying socialising, bingo, quizzes and word games, especially scrabble.
Janet added: “She has always been very keen as to the welfare of the staff and residents of Abbotts Barton and has an exceptionally sharp memory.”
Among the well-wishers at Blanche’s birthday party was the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Frank Pearson.
