Staff at St Benedict's Nursing Home, Glastonbury, have made it possible for a 100-year-old great-grandmother, Joan Hawken, to join in the end-of-term jollity at the primary school where two of her great-grandsons are pupils.

Joan, who moved into the home in June, was delighted when she received invitations to two summer concerts at nearby St Benedict's CofE Junior School, which 10-year-old Mori and eight-year-old Ruben attend.

Joan said: "It was such a treat to be in the school hall and watch the brilliant end-of-term shows. It made me very happy to be there and feel a part of things."

William Merivale, assistant operations manager for White Care Group which runs St Benedict's, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to take Joan to the school summer concerts, and so lovely to see how much she enjoyed herself.

"The residents at St Benedict's have strong relationships with children at the school, who visit us regularly throughout the year, but taking Joan to watch these shows at the school was really something special."

Joan's daughter Rachel Kuzemka said: "Joan was delighted to be able to visit St Benedict's school.

"She moved into St Benedict's Nursing Home earlier this year after three-and-a-half years in sheltered accommodation in Wells, because she felt she needed the additional support and reassurance residential care can offer.

"She has settled in at St Benedict's so well and is very happy in the company of the friendly staff who are at hand when she needs them. She still enjoys her independence and has become confident using her 'walker' to get to the dining room for meals and also enjoys time in the residents' lounge and garden."

Joan's direct descendants include three daughters, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Joan Hawken was born Edna Joan Bailey in 1924 and grew up in Dinder near Wells. She and her sister Margaret, who will be 99 this year, attended the village school in Dinder and then secondary school in Wells.

From 1941-1944 Joan worked at the Admiralty in Bath, commuting daily by train. She also joined the Red Cross and trained to join the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Subsequently, she worked at the armed forces convalescent home in Shapwick.

Joan met David Sheppard in Chilcompton and they married in 1949, raising their three daughters in the village which was their home until she returned to Wells in 1982, four years after she was widowed.

In 1983 she married second husband Don Hawken who passed away in 2013.

Joan enjoys visits and news from all her family and was delighted to have a get-together with the whole family in July 2024 in the garden of her grandson's family home in Norton St Philip. Wherever she is, Joan is pleased to have visits from her family and friends and says her 'door is always open.'

White Care Group, which also runs St Cecilia Care Home in Shepton Mallet and The Rectory in Taunton, is a resource that any local residents with queries about elderly care or dementia care can consult for advice and support for loved ones. This applies regardless of whether their loved one is a resident in a White Care home. For such advice, as well as information on availability of rooms, interested parties can call 01458 833275 or email [email protected]