Centenarian Iris Smith Celebrates 100th Birthday with First Snooker Game
Swindon, UK – Iris Smith, a resident at Barchester White Lodge Care Home, recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a heartfelt celebration that included a special surprise: her first-ever game of snooker.
The milestone birthday, marked on March 16, 2026, was organized by the White Lodge team alongside Ms. Smith’s family. The day was filled with music, memories and a touching tribute to a century of life. Ms. Smith received a special birthday card from His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, as well as numerous messages from friends, family, and staff, according to Swindon Link.
A Lifelong Snooker Fan Takes to the Table
Knowing Ms. Smith’s lifelong passion for watching snooker on television, the care home staff arranged a trip to Hollywood Bowl in Swindon, allowing her to experience the game firsthand. “What you arranged was wonderful. I never thought you would do all this for me. Thank you so much,” Ms. Smith shared, as reported by Swindon Link.
Celebration Highlights
The birthday festivities also included a mini-concert featuring some of Ms. Smith’s favorite songs from the 1960s, bringing back cherished memories. Her family created a beautiful photo collage showcasing highlights from her life, and the Head Chef at White Lodge prepared a birthday cake in her favorite flavors. MSN reports that the celebration was a truly special occasion.
White Lodge Care Home
Barchester White Lodge Care Home, located near Swindon, provides 24-hour residential and nursing care, as well as personalized dementia care. The home is known for its dedicated Memory Lane Community, designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for residents living with dementia. Barchester Healthcare emphasizes a focus on individual needs and tailored care plans for each resident.
Ramona Gherendi, Senior General Manager at White Lodge, said, “Celebrating Iris’ 100th birthday was incredibly special for everyone at White Lodge. Being able to help make her wish of playing snooker come true and seeing the joy it brought her made the day unforgettable for our whole team.”