At Belmont Castle, we take pride in getting to know our residents and celebrating their incredible life stories. This month, we are delighted to shine a spotlight on Joan Hewitt, a cherished member of our community who recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. Joan moved into Belmont Castle on 3rd February 2024, and since then, she has brought joy and energy to both residents and staff with her love of dancing and her wonderful sense of humour.
A Life Full of Dance & Joy
Joan has always had a passion for dancing. Rock ‘n’ Roll remains her favourite, but she also enjoys Old Time dancing and Line dancing. However, she never quite took to acrobatic dancing, finding it too risky, and ballet was, in her words, a “complete joke” for her. Even now, Joan enjoys dancing during activity time at Belmont Castle, often taking to the floor with fellow residents and staff.
A Passion for Work
Joan’s working life began in retail on the high street until its closure, after which she found work at a solicitor’s office through her father’s connections. Over the years, she worked in various solicitors’ offices, though it was never her true passion—Joan had always dreamed of being a kennel hand.
During her time at the solicitors, many of the gentlemen were called up for National Service. Joan had always wished she could have been called up as well, with the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) as her first choice and the Land Army as her second.
Family & Friends
Joan has one son, Noel, who is married to Angela. She fondly remembers her schooldays and her best friend, Olive. The two were inseparable throughout school and early adulthood but sadly lost touch when Olive married a Scandinavian soldier during the war.
A One-Life Lover Affair
Joan married the love of her life, Ronald William Hewitt, on 30th August 1951, at the Register Office on St Marks Road, Maidenhead—formerly an old workhouse. Their wedding reception was a joyful occasion, though neither Joan nor her son can recall exactly where it was held. What she does remember, however, is having a wonderful time with friends and perhaps indulging in a drink or two!
Their honeymoon took them to Hope Cove in Devon, a trip filled with laughter and surprises. One of Joan’s favourite memories is arriving at a train station in Cornwall, where friends showered them with confetti. She even recalls a horse poking its head through a train window to take a sip of someone’s beer!
Favourite Pastimes and Interests
Joan enjoys reading and writing in her diary, as well as watching comedy films and murder mysteries—especially anything by Agatha Christie. She is also an avid football fan, having supported Maidenhead United for many years, regularly attending home games until she found herself a little lost one day and was kindly escorted home by a neighbour.
A true lover of the seaside, Joan finds great pleasure in sitting by the sea and is eagerly looking forward to a trip to Hayling Beach this summer, where she will enjoy a picnic with fellow residents.
A Passion for Travel
Joan has been on numerous cruises, and for her, the destination never mattered—it was the joy of being on the ship that made the experience special. Her favourite vessels were the QE2 and the Queen Mary. Often, when docked in a new location, Joan chose to remain onboard, simply revelling in the experience of life at sea.
A Love of Good Food and her Secret to Youthfulness
Joan’s favourite meal is a traditional English breakfast, which she enjoys every morning with a cup of coffee. She also has a fondness for fish and chips and Chinese sweet and sour chicken. For a special treat, she loves Eton Mess, which she requested for her 102nd birthday celebration.
When asked about her secret to looking so young at 102, Joan attributes it to a small drink every night—whether a Whisky Mac, a couple of glasses of Merlot, or some dry sherry.
To mark Joan’s remarkable milestone, we held a special celebration at Belmont Castle. In the morning, her son Noel and daughter-in-law Angela joined her between 11:00 and 12:00 to open presents and share a birthday cake. The afternoon was filled with joy as residents and staff gathered for a party with live entertainment, singing, and, of course, dancing—Joan’s favourite way to celebrate!
Joan is an extraordinary woman with a rich history and a vibrant spirit that continues to inspire those around her. At Belmont Castle, we feel privileged to be part of her journey and to celebrate her remarkable life. Here’s to many more happy memories with Joan!
Belmont Castle provides residential, nursing and dementia care on a permanent and short stay basis. If you are looking for a care home and want to find out more about our home call us on freephone 02380018322.
