100th Birthday Celebrations at Willowbrook
Margaret, a Willowbrook resident since November 2024, spent her birthday partying and looking back on her achievements…
Born on Saturday 8th February, 1925, Margaret became physical training instructor (PTI) in the army. She met her husband, Gwynn, a PTI in the Royal Navy, while they both served in Lowestoft in Suffolk. After marrying they moved to North Wales before relocating to Newport in 1951. She has two children, six grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
She served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and explained: “I was in charge of the women. I used to train them. I had a good life. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a job I liked. I used to like running and marching, telling the women what to do and what not to do.
“I don’t like sitting still. I’ve got to be up and about doing things. I enjoy life. I’ve always enjoyed life. I can talk to anybody… I’ve been like that since I was a child.”
Margaret’s son, John Morgan, said: “We’re quite a close-knit family. She was a good mum growing up. She’s always been there for us.”
Joanne Chipeva, service manager at Willowbrook, said: “Margaret is a lovely, kind, caring person. We celebrated her birthday with her family, the Willowbrook residents and staff. We decorated the hall and gave her a cake and flowers. We had a singer as well, just to make it more special.”
Everyone enjoyed the day and now plans are in place to purchase a new picture frame to display the birthday card Margaret received from the King and Queen.
Willowbrook, Bettws, is one of Linc Cymru’s high quality community housing and care scheme for older people which has been developed in partnership with Newport City Council. For more information about the service, please click here.
