Penrith care home resident celebrates 102nd birthday in style

Eva Bowness was born at Kirby Thore Hall on January 15 1922 and, to mark her 102nd birthday, a 1920s-themed party was thrown in her honour at Penrith's  HC-ONE Winters Park Care Home. 

The part was attended by care home staff, Eva's relatives, friends, fellow residents, and the wider community, with the Mayor of Penrith Doug Lawson, and officers from the local Eden police constabulary also stopping by to celebrate.

Eva cuts her birthday cake (Image: Supplied)In addition to organising the roaring twenties-themed birthday bash, Winters Park also put out a birthday card appeal to the local community which was met with overwhelming support with Eva being sent over 200 cards.

Winter Park's home manager Kate Lewis was among those who wished Eva a very happy 102nd Birthday.

She said: "We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone.

"Eva is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more."

Eva was the second oldest of six children when she was born in 1922 and moved to Rosgill, where her parents farmed when she was four.

As a schoolgirl, she attended Rosgill School and after finishing her education she helped in the house and on the farm.

On June 27 1945 Eva married John Bowness at St Patrick's Church, Bampton and they went on to make a home in the village, where they have three children, Stead, Christine, and Pat they made their home in the village.

Eva lived in Bampton until the age of 89 when she was moved into Sheltered housing at Shap and in March 2023 aged 101 she moved to Winters Park Care Home in Penrith.

At her 1920s-themed birthday party, she shared her 'secret' to long life. 

She said: "The secret of my long life is all in the genes, country living, fresh fruits and vegetables with good old-fashioned cooking."