East Preston’s Ethel overjoyed with 101st birthday surprise

Ethel Argent celebrated her birthday last month with staff at the hospital when she popped into the eye clinic for a preliminary assessment of her planned cataract operation, later this month.

Ophthalmic appointment booking team members Jan Barr, Ester Fitzgerald, Liz Fry, Kate Humphrey and manager John Duggan had clubbed together to present her with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of sparkling wine and a cake to mark the occasion.

Ethel was driven to the clinic by one of her two sons, Roger – but often catches the bus to attend hospital appointments since giving up driving at the age of 95.

She lived in Singapore with her husband throughout much of the 1940s and ’50s before retiring to East Preston in 1961.

Ethel played golf until she was well into her 80s and says it is being active that has been the secret of her longevity – as well as the skincare products of Elizabeth Arden.

“It’s all the things I used to do: golf, bowls, dancing,” Ethel said. “I’m not in a wheelchair, I have a good memory and I have been to a lot of places.”

The ophthalmic staff presented her with her presents when she arrived for her appointment. Team member Jan Barr said: “A lot of our patients are older people and we all have a good rapport with them, so we thought it would be nice to do something for Ethel on her special day at such a special age.

“We did offer to change the appointment once we knew it was her birthday, but she insisted on coming in.”