Mayor Joins Shock Double Surprise As Care Home Boss Left “Dumbfounded” At Secret 70th Bash

A surprise 70th birthday party for a top care home manager – with the Mayor of Wrexham among the guests – stunned the woman at the centre of it all.

Ann Chapman was left “dumbfounded” after her colleagues secretly organised a lavish celebration at Pendine Park’s Bodlondeb dementia care centre on the outskirts of the city.

Ann had believed she was attending an event to honour adviser Sarah Longhurst who has provided specialist consultancy services to Pendine for many years.

But instead she walked into a colourful music and dancing jamboree complete with balloons, flowers, a buffet and two celebration cakes – one for Ann and the other for Sarah.
Ann said: “I had absolutely no idea about this. I thought it was a little strange when my family and friends told me to make sure I had my best bib and tucker on today, but I had no clue this was about to happen.”

Sarah Longhurst was also surprised to see her name on the party banner as she had been told the event was for Ann.

She laughed: “It was all so cleverly arranged. We were both invited here thinking we were about to celebrate the other.”

Deputy manager Arlene Elano and the whole Bodlondeb team had been planning the event for weeks in advance, including making a short video film in which friends, staff and Bodlondeb residents were featured delivering their personal happy birthday messages to Ann.

Arlene said: “It was hard work putting the afternoon’s programme together but in the end Ann and Sarah deserve it and it went as well as we could have wished for.

Among the guests were Pendine Park owners Mario and Gill Kreft, Wrexham Mayor Tina Mannering and Lady Consort Helen Briscoe, who is also head housekeeper at Pendine Park.
The mayor said she felt honoured to have been invited to the occasion.

She said: “It is a privilege for me to be here among you all on such a special day for both Ann and Sarah.

“It is heart-warming to witness the loyalty, commitment and devotion of everyone here at Bodlondeb to each other and to those in their care.”

Pendine owner Mario Kreft MBE said: “This wonderful party is a credit to Ann and her leadership skills, but it also epitomises the whole ethos of Bodlondeb.
“Ann knows that an organisation like ours depends on the entire team being on the same page and what is clear to see here today is the way every member of staff works together always doing their utmost to ensure the wellbeing of our residents.

“Their hard work has made Bodlondeb so much more than a care home, it has become a caring family, a home from home for residents and also for those of dedicated staff who have travelled here from overseas.”

In 2013 Ann was recognised in the UK Over 50’s Housing Awards as the Most Outstanding Manager in the UK.

As well as her work at Bodlondeb she has also worked on a number of research projects with leading higher education establishments, and her sterling support for a number of charitable causes is renowned.

In 2017 her contribution to Pendine Park was recognised when she won joint gold in the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development category at the annual Wales Care Awards.

Among the surprise celebratory activities were musical numbers by the Bodlondeb staff choir, which also included two singing residents Edwin Roberts and Jim Jarvis. Care practitioners Ma. Sheena and Udani Miranda performed a duet, and a number of carers also performed joyful dances, including a traditional Filipino national dance, and a fun routine to Abba’s hit Dancing Queen.