Peggy Hovell Celebrates 105th Birthday At Local Care Home

On Sunday 24th July, staff and residents at Care South’s Fairlawn care home in Ferndown celebrated a very special day at the home, when one resident celebrated her 105th birthday.

Margaret Dowsing Hovell celebrated a fantastic 105 years in style, as staff at the home arranged a birthday lunch in the home’s dining room. Margaret celebrated the day by opening her many cards with her family and blowing out the candle on her massive cake baked by the home’s kitchen staff to a rousing verse of ‘Happy Birthday’ and many cheers.

Margaret, known as Peggy, was born on 24th July 1911 in Farnham Common, she was the second youngest of four children, her siblings being Molly, Joan and John.

From an early age, Peggy loved to play the piano and perform in recitals. Working as a secretary, she later married her husband John Herbert – a dental surgeon – in 1937 (79 years ago), and they both travelled to India where he worked for The Raj.

Peggy learnt to drive in 1925 at the age of 14 – many years before the compulsory driving test came in. She eventually passed her test with flying colours at the age of 98 after having been a member of The League of Experienced Motorists for 59 years.

Peggy has resided at Fairlawn care home since 2013 and she enjoys the many activities at the home but especially poetry that she can recite beautifully from memory. Peggy also loves socializing with other residents and spending time with her son Richard and his wife Gillian when they often visit.

Andy Hobby, Activities Organiser at Care South’s Fairlawn, said:  “We were delighted to be able to celebrate Peggy’s special day with her at the home. It was lovely to talk to her family and to hear more about her wonderful life. We’re so glad she had a fantastic celebration because at Care South, we work hard to make sure our residents’ birthdays are really special events – especially milestone birthdays like these.”