Exmouth care home resident celebrates 100th birthday

Ron Ives had a party with his family on at the home Wednesday, February 21, where he was presented with a special cake decorated with a photo of him in his younger days, a birthday crown and rosettes.

Ron was born in the village of Sompting near Worthing in Sussex, in 1924, the fifth of six children to parents Fred and Edith Ives. He lived most of his life in Sompting and nearby Lancing and only came to Exmouth at the age of 98 when he had a fall and could no longer live independently. His eldest son and daughter are based in Devon, along with many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a young man Ron always played a major part in village life. He set up a Scout group, and then at the age of 18 he formed the village's first youth club. He also helped to run the Sompting football club.

During the war he was an engineer, which was considered essential work, as he was helping to keep the wheels of industry turning during the conflict. But he felt the need to do more for his country, so he joined the Home Guard, Britain's last line of defence against a German invasion. After the war he continued working as a tool maker until his retirement, and then went to work at what was then the Boundstone Comprehensive School as a technician, passing on his skills to the next generation of students. He also joined the Lancing Women's Institute, selling his home grown produce at their weekly market, and volunteered at a local charity shop until his fall at the age of 98.

Music has always been a large part of Ron's life. He was a choirboy at  Sompting Church and, during the war, he volunteered to play in the Home Guard Band. He later played baritone euphonium in the Worthing Silver Band. He was involved in setting up the Lancing and Sompting British Legion Band and helped to run it for 40 years, also playing with the band until his was in his 80s. Even after that he maintained his interest in music by joining many choirs and singing groups. Nowadays he entertains the other residents of Manor Lodge with his singing.

Ron thinks the reason for his longevity is the fact that he has always kept himself busy. As well as his volunteer work and musical activities he has been a keen walker, an avid birdwatcher, a gardener and a 'shed tinkerer'. 

His family say he has settled well into his life at the care home and - even now - shows little sign of slowing down.