It’s ‘Chez Rene’ as 101-year-old celebrates ‘the good old days’
The Avon Cliff in-house café was transformed into an old-style pub to help a resident celebrate her 101st birthday in style.
Irene ‘Rene’ Fisher welcomed family, friends, home staff, fellow residents and other well-wishers to her birthday party at Avon Cliff in Bournemouth.
When team members asked the popular centenarian how she would like to celebrate her big day, Irene replied: “Let’s all go to the pub!”
Staff then created a pub atmosphere in the café with a decorative backdrop and a selection of drinks and bar snacks.
As Irene came in, she was met with a hearty chorus of Happy Birthday sung by the assembled guests and offered a glass of her favourite tipple, sherry.
“I had a lovely time,” said Rene. “I’m very happy here. They always look after me extremely well.”
Born in London in 1924, Rene grew up in the Capital along with her brother and two sisters.
She was working as a secretary at the printing firm Blades, East & Blades when the Second World War broke out and prompted her to relocate.
After some time in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, where her husband had a job on an estate, she moved to Dorset and worked for another London firm with an office in Bournemouth.
At Avon Cliff, she receives regular visits from a niece and nephew.
Asked how she feels to be 101, Rene said: “I am amazed. It’s difficult to say how you feel at such an age. Although I don’t have as much energy as I used to, I don’t feel 101.”
Companionship Team Leader Elise Martin said: “Rene is a true inspiration who still loves her daily glass of sherry.
“When she said she would like to celebrate her birthday milestone by inviting everyone to the pub, we did everything we could to make it happen.
“Transforming our café into a pub for the day was a nod to Rene’s cherished memories of lively nights spent in her youth. We invited other residents to join the party, serving cocktails and other drinks for everyone. The aim was to celebrate like the good old days together.”
Rene was one of several Avon Cliff residents who prepared food parcels last year during a campaign of support for the Bournemouth Food Bank and its work with families in need in the community.
Elise added: “Rene told us her best advice for life is to ‘always treat people with kindness’ and to ‘always read the paper.’ Happy Birthday Rene!”