Surrey’s oldest resident Ethel, celebrates 111th birthday

Surrey’s oldest resident Ethel, celebrates turning 111 years old at her care home in Ash Vale.

To mark Ethel’s extraordinary birthday, she and other residents at Surrey County Council’s Abbeywood care home enjoyed a tea party, and was later joined by the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Pat Tedder.

High-spirited Ethel, also spoke to BBC Radio Surrey recently about how it feels to be the oldest person in Surrey and the 7th oldest person in the UK. Ethel shares her secret on hitting 111 years old: “I’ve taken everything in my stride, the highs and lows.” She continues by praising her care home, “I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve ended up in this lovely home, where everyone is falling over themselves for me, giving me everything I want.”

Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, said: “I’d like to wish Ethel a very happy 111th birthday, and I hope she continues to enjoy many more happy years at our Abbeywood care home in Ash Vale.

“It’s heart-warming to hear how happy Ethel is at her care home, and I’d like to thank our staff for enabling Ethel and other residents continue to live a safely and as independently as possible.”

You can listen to Ethel who is joined by her granddaughter on BBC Radio Surrey here (available at 1:54:40), or watch Ethel in a video which thanks care workers in Surrey.