Lucy Day, a resident at Cherry Garth care home in Holmer Green, celebrated an extra special milestone as she turned 100 on Leap Day, 29th February 2020.
As a ‘leapling’ Lucy is one of around 0.07% of the population, to be born on 29th February, which only comes around every four years. She enjoyed not one but two parties to mark the occasion, one on 28th February at Cherry Garth with family and friends, and another on 29th with family at a hotel.
Lucy divulged her secret to a long and happy life: ‘To carry on regardless and live day by day.’ With two daughters, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, she is extremely proud to have seen three generations from birth to adulthood.
Lucy’s life to date has been rich in experiences, having travelled in a helicopter, a hot air balloon and on the Orient Express, as well as dining at The Ritz and the OXO Tower Restaurant. For her 80th birthday her daughters arranged for a limousine ride around London and, as if on cue, when they passed Buckingham Palace they changed the Guard and saluted.
During the war Lucy drove a horse and cart between Camden Town and Euston, collecting empty boxes and bottles as part of the war effort. For many years she worked as a cook at the Dublin Castle pub near Camden and was known for her speciality meat pies. The pub was frequented by a number of celebrities whom she met over the years, including Dickie Valentine, The Bachelors, Madness, Benny Hill, Dickie Henderson, The Dubliners and Val Doonican.
Lucy also includes meeting the Queen Mother among her life milestones, who opened a school in her local neighbourhood. She remarked: “I went along in the hope of seeing her and at first, because of the crowd, all I could see was her pink hat. I managed to squeeze forward and she stopped and shook hands with me!”
Commenting on the special Leap Day 100th birthday celebration, manager of Cherry Garth Kelly Hartley, said: “Lucy is a wonderful lady with so many stories to tell. She is a joy to be around. As an active member of our community here, Lucy is much-loved by residents and our care team. We wish her many happy returns!”