Carers at Southlands Bupa Care Home in Harrogate have asked members of the community to send in 100 birthday cards to surprise a one-of-a-kind resident, Olive Pope, on her 100th birthday.
Leeds lady Olive is set to reach centenarian status on the 17th June, and her care home team hope to present her with as many birthday cards as possible from the local community to make it a day to remember. Olive is set to celebrate the big day with afternoon tea from local café Betty’s and the local Mayor has also been invited to attend.
When asked what her advice is for reaching this milestone age, Olive said: “Look after yourself. The occasional white wine is the start of looking after yourself, and simple soap and water goes a long way for the skin.”
Olive was born in Leeds and attended Roundhay High School. Her mother sadly passed away when she was only 14, so she left school to care for her father and younger sister. Olive learnt typewriting at Pitmans College and joined the civil service. The job kept her very fit, as she cycled from Leeds to Harrogate every day.
During the war, Olive moved into lodgings in Harrogate along with evacuees from London. She recalls how they paid one guinea a week to stay there and were fondly nicknamed “the guinea pigs”. She was very envious of her sister, Maggie, who was in the Land Army, as Olive had the less glamorous job of paying families’ soldiers allowances, also known as the ‘death claim benefits’.
Outside of work, Olive has always been a very keen gardener and loves the outdoors. She is extremely family orientated, having married in 1943 and having two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren when they visit from New Zealand and Nova Scotia.
Olive moved to Southlands in February 2022, where her sister also resided. Now she enjoys walking and getting fresh air in the home’s gardens.
Helene Ballinger, Resident Experience Manager at Southlands Bupa Care Home, commented: “Olive is a treasure. She is a truly lovely lady who is kind and polite, we love having her here at Southlands. We are very proud and excited to be celebrating her milestone birthday and hope to receive lots of birthday cards to surprise her with.”
Anyone wishing to send Olive a birthday card can post one to Southlands Bupa Care Home, 9 Ripon Rd, Harrogate HG1 2JA.
Southlands Bupa Care Home is situated in Harrogate and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care, including those living with Parkinson’s. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services
