A day care centre in Ross-on-Wye surprised one of its regular attendees with a party to celebrate her 70th birthday, which also doubled up as an occasion to mark a decade of her using the service.

Margaret Powell, from Holm Lea, thought she was simply attending the annual Easter themed coffee afternoon at Woodside Day Care, but was shocked when it turned out to be a party in her honour, with several of the centre’s regulars turning up to toast her health.

She has been attending the Shaw Healthcare-run service for 10 years. Heather Aubrey, service manager, said, “Margaret is an absolute joy to have around. She is always ready to help others and has become a true friend to all the staff and members who have passed through Woodside’s doors over the last ten years.”

Margaret loves playing Scrabble, crafting, and bingo, but her favourite activity is the annual pantomime trip. She was thrilled recently when her picture was featured in a Shaw brochure promoting its services in China.

Margaret said, “I can’t believe they have organised this for me, I cannot thank them enough. I look forward to each day that I attend Woodside. I adore the staff here and am truly grateful for all they do. They are like family to me”.

Caroline Meryrick, former manager at Woodside, said: “My memories of Margaret are her lovely warm smile, her love of ‘bling’ and her gorgeous nails and accessories – she’s always been a real sight for sore eyes!”

Woodside encourages people to regain some of the skills they may have lost through illness, social isolation or early stage dementia, It gives carers a break and helps people to stay out of long term residential care.