Oldest person in Wales’ home has a built in pub

BECAUSE they have hundreds of reasons to celebrate birthdays in style at the Awel Towi Care Home at Fairfach they have created pub in the home.

They have four centenarians-including the oldest person in Wales at 109-years-old – 12 nonagenarians (over 90) and 15 octogenarians (over 80).

And residents there don’t have to worry about last orders or opening times when raising a cheer or enjoying a tipple because ‘the pub’ is just down the corridor from their rooms.

They even have a little dance and a sing song in their let their hair down moments. There must be something in the water, beer or whisky at Awel Towi because four of the 36 residents are centenarians and one, Gwenllian, is the oldest person in Wales. She will be 110 on October 4.

Manager Sharon Dyer said they have introduced a number of “magic moment” inspirations for residents after talking to them about what they missed most.

A pint or a tipple down the pub was high on the wish list so spare space and support from local pubs and breweries providing nick-nacks and decoration was embraced and the pub lounge was created and has become a popular retreat.

Biggest fan is 84-year-old Glanville Davies who nips down to “his local” he has had the honour of naming but he cannot decide between the White Horse, Tafarn Towi or the Royal Oak, of which he has fond memories in Brynamman.

Sharon said Glanville had confided to her he missed a visit to the pub most of all and so, it appeared, did many of his fellow residents.

She said: “In the past we had organised trips to a pub in the community for some residents but it made much more sense to utilise spare space at the home and build our own bar.

“Subject to what medication residents might be on they can have anything from a light shandy to a lemonade or a tot of sherry or whisky.

Glanville pops in several times a day. The former mine pit pony minder said after a hard day’s work he always went to his local for a pint. “I can even look out from the window and see horses sometimes.”

County executive board member for social care a health Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “All homes in the county have introduced some wonderful additions to make residents feel home from home in their places of residence.

“They have installed beaches on space ground, Victorian tea rooms, raised gardening beds, art and craft rooms, man sheds and even nail bars and pubs.”

The Tafarn Towi has a busy time of celebration ahead with some really special birthdays to celebrate. Nancy James is 101, Winston Peregrine 102, Mary Kier 103 and the oldest woman in Wales Gwenllian Davies is 110 on October 4.