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Centenarian Recalls WWII & Poet Kin: Needs 100 Cards
4 Nov
Summary
- Care home seeks 100 birthday cards for 100-year-old resident.
- Resident is great-great-grandson of poet James Withers.
- He worked in horticulture and printing, and served in WWII.
Waterhouse Manor care home in Fordham, East Cambridgeshire, is launching an appeal for 100 birthday cards for its most senior resident, Ren Bowen, who is set to celebrate his 100th birthday on November 19th. Ren Bowen was born and spent his entire life in the village of Fordham. He is the great-great-grandson of the rural poet James Withers, who published several books and even received a grant from Queen Victoria.
Bowen left school at 14 during World War II to work in horticulture, a job that involved extensive digging. He later served in the army, posted to Egypt towards the end of the war. After his service, he worked for a local printer until his retirement. His nephew noted that Bowen continued to tend his garden until he was 98.
The care home's lifestyle leader, Emma Tiley, expressed the staff's wish for Bowen to receive cards for his significant milestone. Bowen himself humorously responded to the prospect of receiving 100 cards, stating he "wouldn't be replying to them all." Cards can be sent to him at Waterhouse Manor care home, Soham Road, Fordham, CB7 5LB.
