A WEEKLY coffee morning for people living in a West Somerset retirement home had a special feel to it on Friday, January 3, as one resident celebrated their 100th birthday.
Doreen Atkin (formerly Bruford) has lived since 2011 in Carlton Court, Minehead, where she ‘thoroughly enjoys the atmosphere and companionship of fellow residents’.
She said: “I am so pleased to have all my friends and family with me on this special day, I can hardly believe it.
“It seems so strange to think I have lived through so many events, life has given me so many happy memories.
“I feel so fortunate to be living in Carlton Court and being supported by the manager and my carers.”
Mrs Atkin moved to Minehead in 1984 with her first husband, the Rev Charles Bruford, who was minister of the United Reformed Church, in Bancks Street.
As well as church duties, the couple enjoyed walking in the Quantock Hills and quickly became active in the Minehead community.
Mr Bruford died in 2003 and Doreen re-married in 2009 to Brian Atkin, a colleague from the University of the Third Age (U3A).
She was able to continue her love of walking the countryside until Mr Atkin died in 2010.
Mrs Atkin had membership of the Minehead U3A, ramblers and local history groups, and volunteered in the town’s St Margaret’s Hospice charity shop, the National Trust’s Dunster Castle, Minehead Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) shop, and Minehead Community Hospital, where she wheeled the book trolley to patients.
Her 100th birthday party was also attended by her son Peter Bruford and daughter Catherine, her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as about 30 residents, carers, and Carlton Court’s manager.
Mrs Atkin received a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla and was also presented with a card from her grandchildren confirming they had made a donation to the RNLI in recognition of her previous volunteering in the Minehead shop and support for the role the charity plays in the community.
She said: “I am so pleased with the donation to the RNLI because their work is so important.”