Horse Whisperer Celebrates Her 100th Birthday With Bournemouth Mayor

Joan Rollason, a resident at RMBI Care Co. Home Zetland Court, in Bournemouth, has celebrated her 100th birthday at the care home, located near the town’s sandy beach.

To celebrate this special occasion, she welcomed The Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Anne Filer, who congratulated Joan on her milestone birthday. She also enjoyed a celebration with fellow residents, the Home’s staff and her two sons, Peter and Michael.

When asked about how she feels to be 100, she smiled and said: “Very lucky.”

Joan was born on 30 November 1923, only five years after the end of the First World War. Earlier this year, she gained notoriety when she visited a stable yard with support from Sue Wiffen, the Deputy Home Manager for Dementia at Zetland Court. Joan, who is fond of horses and has had a lifetime spent with them, was able to calm down an excitable black horse that she had spotted at the stable yard. She simply pulled herself up to the fence and whispered to it.

“Once she started talking to him, the horse was absolutely calm. It was amazing!” says staff member Sue Wiffen when recalling the experience, which made it to the press. Zetland Court’s staff members even created an album of Joan’s visit to the stable yard, so she could look at the photos and reminisce.

Due to her deep fondness of horses, the Home also arranged the visit of Flora, a friendly Shetland pony, for Joan’s 100th birthday. Flora brought joy to her and other residents living with dementia at the care home.

Her secret to a long life? Joan says: “Being active and seeing people!”