Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court resident celebrates 107th birthday with family and friends

A Berkshire care home resident has celebrated an incredible milestone after turning 107 years old. Resident Irene Muggeridge celebrated her birthday surrounded by family, fellow residents and staff at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Wokingham.

Irene marked her special birthday with visits from her loved ones across two days of celebrations. Her eldest son, Brian, visited with his wife, while her two younger sons and their families celebrated with her the day before. Irene, who has lived at the Home for five years, was presented with birthday cards from relatives and residents.

Her family has praised the care she receives at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court. A family spokesperson said:

We are so grateful for the marvellous care Irene receives from the staff; their devotion to the residents is wonderful to see. It is thanks to their dedication that Irene has reached her 107^th birthday, and we cannot thank them enough.

Despite reaching 107, Irene continues to take part in many activities at the Home, particularly sing-alongs. In 2023, she gained local attention after taking part in the Unit Award Scheme (UAS), which allows residents to engage in learning and have their achievements formally recognised. Through the programme, she completed arts and crafts lessons and created her own woollen pom-pom, earning an official certificate and praise from the local community. Irene is believed to be the oldest person to have taken part in this scheme.

Irene poses with two caring staff members whist enjoying a piece of her birthday cake.

Reflecting on her age, she said:

I don’t think of my age. I put it out of my mind. I don’t think about me being over 100. You are only as young as you feel, and I feel young. Even at my age, I am happy to have a go at anything.

An extraordinary life

Born in Kew, London, Irene attended school in Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick. She never met her father, who died when she was just 20 days old after being injured during the First World War. She grew up with her mother and her older brother Ernie, who was six years her senior. As a child, she spent many happy hours playing with her mother in Kew Gardens. At the age of 17, while making daisy chains there, she was approached by a passer-by who asked what she was doing — the passer-by was Queen Mary.

Irene later worked at Firestone, where she met her husband Ted. The couple married in 1943, two years before the end of the Second World War, and both shared a love of tandem cycling and ballroom dancing. They first lived in Ashford before moving to Cranford in 1949, where Irene remained until moving into residential care. Together they had three sons, and today Irene is a proud grandmother to eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Family holidays were an important part of Irene’s life. The family often travelled to the south coast of England and, when the children were older, enjoyed trips to Spain. Irene loved gardening and watching game shows on television, and she chose to stop working to focus on raising her family. Ted, a Freemason, sadly passed away in 1990. Irene also fondly remembers her close friend Joan, with whom she enjoyed trips to Brighton and many shared adventures.

[Summary: A Berkshire care home resident, Irene Muggeridge, has celebrated her 107th birthday at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Wokingham, surrounded by family, fellow residents and staff. Praised by her family for the care she receives, Irene remains active in home life, enjoys sing-alongs, and continues to embrace new activities with the belief that you are only as young as you feel.]