New Forest | Posted on November 6th, 2026 | return to news

Lyndhurst 101-year-old showered with birthday wishes

A care home resident has received hundreds of birthday cards from across the community.

Joan Hillman celebrated her 101st birthday recently after staff at Hartwood House set out to collect 101 cards to mark the occasion. The idea came after the team realised Joan had received a milestone card from the King for her 100th birthday but would not receive another royal greeting until she turns 105. They decided her 101st should still be marked with something special and asked the local community to help.

Schools, playgroups, Scouts and Girlguiding groups, carers’ organisations, community groups, local businesses, care homes and individuals responded to the appeal. By Joan’s birthday, the original target of 101 had been surpassed, with hundreds of cards and messages arriving at the home.

The appeal also travelled much further than planned. While contacting local figures about Joan’s birthday, the team accidentally got in touch with the Mayor of Lyndhurst, Ohio, rather than Lyndhurst in the UK. The US Mayor joined in regardless, sending Joan a personal letter all the way from the United States to wish her a happy 101st birthday.

Joan said: “I can’t believe all these cards are for me. It means so much that so many people have thought about me on my birthday. I’ve never experienced anything like this and I feel very lucky.”

Born at her grandparents’ home in Camberwell, London, in 1925, Joan grew up in Sidcup and worked as a shorthand typist for a wholesale gown manufacturer in London. One of the events she remembers most clearly is travelling to work during the Second World War, when a doodlebug flew alongside her train on a journey into London.

Asked for her secret to reaching 101, she said: “There are no secrets, I was born lucky.” Her advice for younger generations is to “always be honest”, adding: “This way you know where you stand, and other people know where you stand.”

When asked about her proudest achievement, Joan had an immediate answer: “Producing my lovely children.” She continues to enjoy knitting and celebrated her birthday with family and fellow residents at Hartwood House.

Monika Zytowiecka, General Manager at Hartwood House, said: “We originally hoped to collect 101 cards for Joan, but the response went far beyond that. Seeing so many people take the time to send her a birthday message was fantastic, and the letter from Ohio gave us all a good laugh. Most importantly, Joan could see just how many people wanted to help make her birthday special.”

The initiative has also strengthened links between Hartwood House and local schools, youth groups, businesses and community organisations, several of which have expressed an interest in supporting future activities at the home.