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Appeal for 100 cards for special centenarian

John Devinein Fordham
John Devine/BBC A man with an almost bald head and thin, dark-framed glasses. He is wearing a blue fleece over a blue and white checked shirt. Behind him is the corridor of a care home, with beige walls and carpet.John Devine/BBC
Ren Bowen said working on the land in his younger days might have helped his longevity

A care home for the elderly in East Cambridgeshire is appealing for 100 birthday cards to be sent to its oldest resident who turns 100 later this month.

Waterhouse Manor care home in Fordham near Soham wants to mark the birthday of Reynolds Bowen (known as Ren), who was born and raised in the village and has lived there his whole life.

Bowen is a widower with no children. He has only two surviving relatives and is the great-great-grandson of noted rural poet James Withers, who died in 1892.

Emma Tiley, lifestyle leader at the home, said Bowen, who moved to the home in March, is set to be their first centenarian. She said they would love for him to receive the cards for his milestone birthday.

John Devine A woman with long dark hair over her shoulders. She is wearing a turquoise top with a name badge on it. Behind her is the corridor of a care home with beige walls and carpet. John Devine
Emma Tiley, the lifestyle lead at the care home says Bowen is "a real gentleman" who still keeps fit and active

Bowen was born on 19 November 1926. He left school during World War Two in 1940, aged 14.

He took a job with a horticulturalist, which he said involved a lot of digging.

He said: "There were no apprenticeships available as most of the trades people had been called up into the war.

"I have dug acres in my time and could dig eight hours a day with no problem."

Bowen's nephew, Geoff Simpkin, 71, said his uncle was "a lovely bloke" and "was still digging his garden when he was 98".

Family handout A black and white photo of a man and woman in wedding attire, looking at each other. Both are smiling, the lady has a veil and a white sleeveless dress with a string of pearls around her neck. The man is wearing a shirt and tie with a dark jacket and a carnation in his button hole.Family handout
Bowen with his wife Jennifer on their wedding day in1968. Jennifer died in 2019

Bowen was called up for active service towards the end of World War Two and was posted to Egypt.

"I came out of the army as what they called a class B, to work on the land", he added.

He eventually found a job with a local printer and remained there until he retired.

Bowen said he inherited many of the letters, manuscripts and notes from his great-great-grandfather, Withers, which he donated to the Cambridge University Library.

He said: "He had several books published as a poet.

"Queen Victoria gave him (a grant) of £50, which back then was worth two years pay for an agricultural worker as he was, and Charles Dickens was in touch with him."

Asked about the prospect of receiving 100 birthday cards, Bowen replied with a grin that he "wouldn't be replying to them all".

Cards can be sent to him at Waterhouse Manor care home, Soham Road, Fordham, CB7 5LB.

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