Helen turns 103 with family and friends

Helen Beeson, a resident of the Victoria Royal Beach care home, in Grand Avenue, Worthing, received chocolates, cake, Baileys and four bottles of bubbly on her big day. Once each of her family and friends had a glass of fizz, Mrs Beeson made a toast.

She said: “Thank you all so much for coming, it’s wonderful to see you.”

A resident of the care home for two months, Mrs Beeson has already made a big impression on staff. Coral Jackson, the care home’s manager, said: “She’s an absolute sweetie. She’s extremely grateful for everything you do. If everyone was more like her, it would be wonderful.”

Before moving into the home, Mrs Beeson lived in a second-floor flat in George V Avenue. Her nephew, Albert Plummer, 66, of Rainham, said she would go up and down the stairs in the block of flats once or twice-a-day.

Debbie Plummer, 50, wife of Mrs Beeson’s nephew, David, said: “We are just lucky to have her at 103, it’s lovely. She’s outlived her brother and sister, she was the eldest of three.”

Albert said Mrs Beeson’s secret to long life was that she never smoked but enjoyed a drop of wine. Bill Smallwood, 91, of George V Avenue, has been friends with Mrs Beeson for 
eight years.

He said: “She’s really lovely and appreciates everything you do.”