A Cheltenham care home resident celebrated her 105th birthday with friends, fellow residents and team members – and a cold pint of Guinness.
Kathleen Hennings credited her long life to the Irish stout as she marked the milestone with loved ones and her favourite drink at Care UK’s Sandfields Care Home, Gloucestershire, on October 2.
Reflecting on her may happy years, Kathleen revealed her secret formula to living a long and fulfilled life, as she advised: ‘Drink Guinness and don’t marry!’
Born in London in 1919, Kathleen grew up in the borough of Brixton, where she later began a successful career as an accountant.
She recalls spending evenings dancing around Covent Garden and regularly visited the Royal Opera House to watch operas and ballets.
Kathleen Hennings (pictured) credited her long life to Guinness as she marked the milestone with loved ones and her favourite drink at Care UK’s Sandfields Care Home on October 2
After living in London throughout World War II and longing for a slice of quiet country living, Kathleen relocated to the Cotswolds with her mother, her brother, Charlie, and her dachshund, Rusty.
Kathleen was first introduced to Guinness at the age of 18 by her parents, who were huge fans of the black and white stout.
Less than nine decades later, the beloved beverage has become Kathleen’s go-to tipple – and she has credited regularly drinking it for helping her reach the incredible age of 105.
She said: ‘We all drank Guinness at home; we all liked it… and I still do. I was introduced to Guinness in my late teens by my parents; who both drank it regularly at home.
‘Also my older brother Charlie also drank Guinness at home so it became the drink of choice at family mealtimes and I’ve kept drinking it to this day!’
Kathleen was first introduced to Guinness at the age of 18 by her parents, who were huge fans of the black and white stout
To help make Kathleen’s birthday one to remember, Guinness gifted her a personalised hamper with pint glasses, slippers, a kitchen apron, chocolates and, of course, plenty of the famous Irish stout.
The team at Sandfields also organised a special party for Kathleen, complete with a delicious birthday cake specially prepared by the home’s talented Head Chef.
Commenting on her birthday celebrations, Kathleen said: ‘It was so nice to see my lovely friends and neighbours. I’ve been spoilt. Thank you so much.’
Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, said: ‘We love celebrating special milestones at Sandfields, and Kathleen’s 105th birthday certainly called for a party!
‘It was wonderful to see Kathleen surrounded by all her loved ones to commemorate such an incredible milestone.
‘The team put in a lot of effort to ensure that her day was memorable, and we want to say thank you to everyone who joined us in raising a glass of Guinness to Kathleen!”
It comes as 104-year-old Antoinette Inserra, from Staten Island, credited her long years to putting on makeup and making sure she gets out of the house every day.
However, she also enjoys a glass of beer or vermouth every evening and eats a balanced diet, including soft-shell crabs, pepperoni and plenty of spinach.