On Friday, 22 August 2025, Kay (Catherine) Simmonds, a resident of Bedford Morison and Cordery Almshouse Charity for 17 years, celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by family and fellow residents.
Kay is the charity’s oldest resident and was born in Ireland, before moving to England and dedicating 40 years of her life to nursing at Leavesden Hospital.
A new initiative by the Charity’s trustees, which involves annual visits to each resident, has uncovered remarkable personal stories like Kay’s. This has inspired the creation of a ‘Listening Project’ to record and preserve these memories, in collaboration with Watford Palace Theatre and Watford Girls Grammar School.
Kay’s special day included flowers donated by Mrs. Steven Eagell of Lilac and Willow, Battlers Farm, and a visit from Vice Chair of Trustees, Dr. Nigel Ineson
posted 26 August 2025