102yr old celebrates karaoke party

Sprightly Violet Grady was on song on Friday when she led a session of karaoke in celebration of her 102nd birthday.

The sing-a-long birthday bash was a repeat of the vocal celebrations for her 100th birthday, and Mrs Grady again had a wonderful time in the company of her friends at the Dorrington House residential home on Quebec Road at Dereham.

Our Violet just loves to sing and readily grabbed the microphone from karaoke singer Keith Thomas as he belted out a rousing version of the Tom Jones classic, Green, Green Grass of Home.

Other favourites included Vera Lynn wartime classics like White Cliffs of Dover and We'll Meet Again. There was another singing session in the afternoon led by Vicky Wackett, before everyone shared in a special birthday tea provided by the home.

The day of songs and smiles was a fitting way to mark her milestone birthday for the home's most senior citizen, who is known by staff and residents to be a very sociable lady who can turn on her warm smile in an instant. But, as other residents can testify, she can and does call a spade a spade when she wants.

Violet, who loves children but didn't have any of her own, has lived at Dorrington House since August 2006, having moved there from sheltered housing in Norwich. Her late husband, Ernie, ran a caravan-building business which Violet helped manage.

Unfortunately, due to illness, her relatives, who ask after her every day, were unable to visit her to share in the birthday celebrations.

Senior carer Sally Gall, who has known Violet since she moved into the home, says she enjoys putting on her pinny

and flicking a duster around her own room.

'She certainly calls a spade a spade; there's no messing with our Violet and she is not backward in coming forward. She will often say 'I love you all',' said Mrs Gall.

Violet said of the day: 'I have enjoyed a wonderful time with other residents celebrating my birthday'.