108-year-old thought to be ‘oldest in Northampton’ celebrates another milestone with her ‘favourite lemon cake’

A woman who is thought to be the ‘oldest in Northampton’ has celebrated her 108th birthday.

Connie Kirton, who was born on May 13, 1912, three weeks after the sinking of the Titanic, celebrated another milestone birthday at Brampton View Care Home where she lives.

Despite the current pandemic meaning her two sons who live abroad could not be with her, Connie celebrated with her favourite lemon cake and in-house activities.

Bogdan Gancean, general manager of Barchester Brampton View Care Home, said, “Connie came to Brampton View when she was 102 and we are delighted to have shared so many birthday celebrations with her including this amazing milestone.

“We believe Connie may be the oldest person in Northampton and we feel privileged that she lives here at Brampton View.

“It is remarkable that the year of her birth also had so many notable historical events including the establishment of the Royal Flying Corps (the forerunner of the RAF), the incorporation of the Scout Association, and Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole.”

The great grandmother-of-11 grew up in Grimscote, went to school in Pattishall and lived in the parish until she moved into the care home.

Connie recalled being Queen of the May when she was 12 as one of the highlights of her educational career.

After finishing school, Connie became a lady’s maid at Pattishall House and married the local butcher’s son in 1934.

The couple, who ran a milk farm until they retired, had two sons - Lionel who now lives in California who is 84 and is having to follow self-isolation guidelines, and Bruce who lives in Canada.

Connie was busy and sociable, being a member of the Women’s Institute and Mothers Union, as well as regularly visiting Pattishall church with her husband as they could walk there from their home.

Lionel, who was in touch with the care home to help make his mother’s birthday special, believes Connie, who lived through two World Wars, missed some of the VE Day celebrations in 1945 as he had mumps so she would have been looking after him.

The team at Brampton View helped to make Connie’s day special, despite not being able to see her sons like she usually does on her birthday.

The lounge was decorated with bunting and balloons, Anya from the activities team styled Connie’s hair and staff read her cards to her, including one from the Queen.

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