Marlborough care home resident turns 103

Joan Rix, from Porthaven Home’s Savernake View, reached the milestone on October 14, and has had a colourful life in the social work sector, has lived in China and Russia, won awards and has even met King Charles III.

She was originally born in Hampstead and was a telephonist.

Joan worked hard to gain her diploma to become a medical social worker, and did this for 30 years, and she worked primarily at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Middlesex.

During her time in this position, she also ended up meeting King Charles III, who was the Prince of Wales at the time when he visited the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore in April 1979.

He opened a Rehabilitation Assessment Unit while Joan was working there when she was 60 years old.

Joan even spent time in China and Russia during her career to see how they performed medicine and came 157th in a ranking of the top IQs - and for this, she won a Mensa award.

She went on to win another Mensa award for her incredible scrabble scores and techniques and moved to Wiltshire around 20 years ago.

Joan has described being very passionate about the county’s countryside- especially Marlborough.

To mark the occasion at the care home, Savernake View team members bought Joan her favourite champagne and a bouquet of flowers.

The chefs at the home also baked Joan her favourite lemon sponge cake on the special day.

Joan and the team toasted to Joan’s son, who used to buy her Taittinger champagne every birthday.

Client Services Manager Kelly Smith said: “Joan has so many flowers in her room today that it smells like a florist’s shop in there. It is full of bright, brilliant colours and an array of cards from her loved ones.”

After blowing out her candles, Joan said: “Here’s to 104.”

Savernake View Care Home, which is part of Porthaven Homes, opened in 2016 and provides 24-hour dementia, nursing, residential and respite care for the people of Marlborough and the wider Wiltshire community.