Festivities and merriments have been in full swing at Orford House, the Coulsdon-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, which is celebrating its 120th Anniversary this year. The care team pulled out all the stops to make sure that 87-year-old resident, Lieselotte Angel and 84-year-old resident, Jerzy Snigorski had a wonderful time celebrating their joint birthday on 19th May.
Lieselotte ‘Lilo,’ who has been a resident at Orford House since July 2023, was born and grew up in Germany. “After I left school, I decided I wanted to become a Physiotherapist,”said Lilo. “Being able to help patients recover from illnesses and injuries and help to improve their physical mobility and movement, was very rewarding.”
Keen Gardener, Lilo, met and married her Husband, Raymond and the happy couple became proud parents to three children, a daughter and two sons. “My Daughter thought that Orford House would be the perfect place for me,”continued Lilo. “It’s close to where she lives and there’s so much for me to do every day. I like to keep fit, so the exercise classes are one of my favourite sessions, but I also enjoy the Colour Art Therapy classes and the regular visits from the Pets As Therapy animals and Rosie, the care home’s very own rabbit.”
Jerzy, who has lived at Orford House since August 2024, was born in Poland and when he was just weeks old he, his Mother and Grandfather, were taken by the Russian Army and transported to Siberia where his Mother was made to work in a mill.
After the war, during his school years, Jerzy loved the History and Sports classes. “I love sport and used to enjoy fishing and still love snooker and football,” said Jerzy. “I always support the German national team at all their games and as I lived in the Sutton area, my home team was, and still is, Crystal Palace. I would often go to the Selhurst Park ground to watch The Eagles play and still watch as many matches as possible on the television.”
Jerzy married his Wife, Margaret on 1st October 1966 at St. Dunstan’s Church in Cheam and the pair are proud parents to two Sons and two Grandchildren. “Margaret visits me every day at Orford House,”continued Jerzy. “She’s a really wonderful and supportive Wife.”
The couple are well travelled having visited most of Europe over the years. “Margaret and I are keen dancers,”added Jerzy. “We’ll always be the first up on the dance floor at any of the care home’s regular events as we both love the wide range of visiting entertainers that put on great shows for us. I also really enjoy the exercise classes; they are great fun.”
To celebrate Lilo and Jerzy’s shared birthday in style, the care home team arranged for a delicious afternoon tea party. Along with family members, The Birthday Girl and Boy were joined by all their care home friends. “We wanted to make sure that Lilo and Jerzy had a birthday to remember,”said Michelle Kennett, the Registered Manager at Orford House.“They are both such wonderful people, we wanted to give them a special birthday celebration to let them know how special they are to all of us at the care home.”
“Lilo is very artistic and some of the pieces she’s produced in our Arts and Craft sessions are very impressive,”added Mary Bradley, the Activities Coordinator at Orford House.“Jerzy is an absolutely charming gentleman and lovely resident too. We always have great chats and he’s also taught me some ballroom steps and dance moves as well.”
“Both Lilo and I have really enjoyed our shared birthday,”continued Jerzy. “It’s been really wonderful, spending time with everyone and enjoying our delicious birthday afternoon tea. I even got up and had a dance with Margaret – so all in all, a perfect day all round.”