Falkirk bairn celebrates his 104th birthday
A local man living in one of Falkirk’s Housing with Care properties has recently marked his 104th birthday with staff and residents at Dorrator Court in Camelon.
Staff at Dorrator Court and Denny’s Tygetshaugh Court came together to throw a party with music, dancing, and a special cake to mark Fred’s birthday.
Fred’s 104th birthday cake, part of celebrations arranged by Senior Housing with Care Workers Gillian Ryder (Dorrator Court) and Lauren Kilpatrick (Tygetshaugh Court) and the rest of the team.
Born in Falkirk in May 1920, Fred has travelled the world through a long career in the Royal Air Force – stationed in bases across England, Ireland, West Africa, and the Shetland Islands.
Since moving to Dorrator Court in 2011, he has continued this adventurous spirit, travelling to Cuba, India to visit the Taj Mahal, and to China to see the Great Wall of China. For his 90th birthday, he even took to the ropes at the Go Ape ziplining centre in Aberfoyle.
It was while based in Aberdeen that he met his wife-to-be, Marjorie, at the age of 22. They married in June 1944 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage until Marjorie’s passing a decade ago.
Fred continues to live as independently as possible at Dorrator – getting out and about on his electric scooter to run errands or enjoy the canal on sunny days.
When the weather isn’t so wonderful, he can be found tending to his stamp collection, photography, or catching up with family living in America via skype.
Staff from Dorrator Court and Tygetshaugh Court came together to celebrate Fred’s 104th birthday
Fred has said he enjoys living at Dorrator and can look back on the happy life that he has had. Alongside his Christian faith and spending his formative years taking part in the Boys Brigade, he says his secret to a long life has been drinking plenty of milk.
Gillian Ryder, Senior Housing with Care Worker at Dorrator Court, said: “It was an honour to celebrate Fred’s 104th birthday with him, and a pleasure to be able to share happy memories and updates with his family overseas until they are able to visit soon.”
About Housing with Care
Dorrator Court is one of Falkirk’s Housing with Care properties, providing extra support to people over the age of 60. Our supported living homes help people to live near others with similar needs. There are three levels of Housing with Care, with facilities offered including a mix of telecare, communal lounges, laundry, lifts, secure entry systems, meal service, and communal dining rooms.