MP Tan Dhesi joins Slough resident to celebrate her 100th birthday

MP Tan Dhesi joined a Slough resident to celebrate her 100th birthday last week.

The Slough MP surprised Joan Gillham at her party at Windmill Care Centre at the end of April.

The care centre, where Joan has lived for the past three years, was full of members of her family, including her five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as friends and staff.

Joining in with the celebrations was Mr Dhesi who stopped by to wish Joan a happy birthday.

Staff at the home obtained personalised decorations and photos for the event and provided a feast of special treats, including a large homemade cake prepared by the chef.

When asked about how she feels to reach 100, Joan said: “Goodness gracious. I really can’t believe it. I’ve been so lucky.”

Born in Ramsbury in Wiltshire on April 22 1924, Joan, who is known to her family as Bubbles due to her auburn curls, grew up in Stoke Poges where her father had a job as head gardener at Stoke Poges Golf Club (Stoke Park) where Joan enjoyed birthday parties in the club house.

After leaving school aged 14, Joan went to work at Horlicks where she continued to work during the war.

In 1948 she married Gordon, the youngest of five brothers from Chalvey, at Stoke Poges Church.

The couple lived in Chalvey and had two children – Graham and Linda who were born ten years apart, before moving to Cippenham in 1970.

A stalwart member of the Cippenham Royal British Legion, after his passing in 1987, Joan continued to enjoy the company and friendship of fellow members well into her nineties through attending the weekly bingo and raffle and joining the annual Remembrance Day parade.

Joan spent 25 years with Langley-based Nightingale Travel working on the daily coach runs to the day centres for those with learning difficulties and at times also helped with dinner lady duties.

She lived independently well into her nineties and moved into Windmill Care Centre in 2020.

Vanessa Cabulong, manager at Windmill Care Centre, which is part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group, said: “It was such a privilege to throw a huge birthday bash for Joan – she is a warm and wonderful person and truly deserves a huge fuss.

“She loved her special day and it was so special to have so many of her family members all here together.

“It was a wonderful occasion, made all the more special by a visit from our MP.

“We look forward to creating many more special moments with Joan in her 100th year.”

Windmill Care Centre is a purpose-built care home that provides nursing care, nursing dementia care and residential dementia care.