Haywards Heath care home asks for 101 birthday cards

Anne Scott will be celebrating her big day on Tuesday at the Goldbridge Care Home in Haywards Heath, surrounded by her children and friends.

The party has been organised by Patricia Driver, activity co-ordinator at Goldbridge, and will include afternoon tea and cake.

Anne Scott (Image: Goldbridge)

Anne said: "It was a surprise to reach 100 last year let alone 101 years old this year.

"However, I don’t think it’s such an achievement any more as we are all living longer, healthier lives.

"I experienced some harrowing events during World War II but somehow here I am.

"I was honoured to receive a birthday card from the late Queen on my 100th birthday and this year I am looking forward to spending the day with my family and friends.”

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Anne was born in Malaysia in 1922, and was the oldest of four sisters.

She moved to England for her education but returned to Malaysia in 1939 ahead of the Second World War.

In 1941, she was working as a secretary for the British Services Press Liaison Office in Singapore, where she met the man who would become her husband, Gerry, as an engineer for Shell.

At the fall of Singapore in 1942, Anne, her mother and sisters were evacuated  by boat. They were reunited in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe.

They eventually found a ship to take them back to the UK, the SS Orcades, but it was torpedoed by a German submarine. Anne and her sisters were rescued by a Polish trawler.

She later wrote a wartime memoir, A Journey By Candlelight, published in 1999.

Anne Scott (Image: Goldbridge Care Home)

Anne married Gerry in 1946 and they lived in London before moving to East Sussex where she taught sculpture at the Paddock Studio in Lewes. The couple had a daughter, Deborah, and a son, Philip.

Anne moved to Goldbridge Care Home in 2021. Manager Hasib Khan said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating Anne’s milestone birthday with her.

"We are hoping lots of people from the community will send cards to really top off her birthday celebrations. Sharing milestone occasions is incredibly important to us, and we hope Anne has a truly special day.”

If you would like to send a card, address it to: Anne Scott, The Goldbridge, 3 Kleinwort Close, Haywards Heath, RH16 4XH