A local care home has been helping one of their residents celebrate their 100th birthday with a visit from some very special animal guests.
Stanley Cochrane, a resident of HC-One’s Hodge Hill Grange Care Home in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, turned 100 last month. His unusual birthday request was to meet some ponies, and after contacting their friends at Lollipop Ponies the care home was able to arrange a visit and give Stanley a very unusual birthday experience.
Stanley spent the day with his family, who brought him a delicious, personalised fisherman-themed cake, reflecting his many years of happily fishing as a hobby. He also enjoyed showing off his birthday card from King Charles to his fellow residents, the first time a resident at the care home had received a card from the king.
The birthday treats did not end there, and Stanley gave thanks to children from the nearby Smiths Woods Kids Club, who had worked hard making him a beautiful birthday canvas and birthday cards. Stanley remarked that the canvas and cards had really brightened up his room.
Stanley grew up in Belfast before serving in the army during the second world war, and once worked in a flying boat factory. In addition to fishing, he enjoys reading and used to be a regular visitor at his local library.
Looking back over his 100 years, Stanley put his long life down to the support of his wife, Doris, saying:
“Happy wife, happy life!”
Karen Mayo, Home Manager of Hodge Hill Grange, said:
“Happy 100th birthday to Stanley, what a wonderful occasion to celebrate and how exciting it was to have ponies here at Hodge Hill Grange!”