Ruth Hopkins, who lives at Care UK’s Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family, fellow residents, and team members.
To help make Ruth’s birthday one to remember, the team wanted to grant her biggest wish – to get her long-lost wedding ring back. Determined to make her wish a reality, Bishops Manor’s Activity Coordinator, Sarah Beech, turned to her husband, Ian Beech, a jeweller in Birmingham’s renowned Jewellery Quarter.
Without hesitation, Ian quickly set to work, generously crafting a stunning replica of Ruth’s cherished wedding band. To make it even more special, Ian engraved it with her and her late husband’s names along with the date of their wedding.
Ruth met her late husband, John Hopkins, in the late 1940s. The couple fell head over heels in love and went on to marry in 1952. Together, they had a daughter, Judy, who often visits Ruth at Bishops Manor.
Ruth unfortunately lost her original wedding band in 2023 and has always expressed wanting to be reunited with in some way, especially after losing her husband 18 years ago.
To make the celebration for her newly minted centenarian status extra special, the team came up with a creative way to present the ring to Ruth while fulfilling another of her wishes—to see a magician in action. During a special performance at the home, the magician orchestrated a trick involving costume jewellery where, amid the magic, he presented Ruth with her recreated wedding ring.
Ruth was delighted with the with the handmade replica, saying “It felt wonderful to have my wedding ring back on my finger. It was a massive surprise and a very welcome one! I even met the jeweller, a wonderful birthday surprise.”
Ruth was born in Barry, South Wales on 15th March 1925 and spent her early years by the coast before moving to Birmingham. Ruth began her career journey in education by training as a nursery nurse during the war. After the war, she retrained as a primary school teacher and landed her first role at Pineapple School in Birmingham.
Ruth’s dedication to education saw her teaching at Kingsland Road School in Kingstanding until she took early retirement. Passionate about education, her love for the classroom kept her working through an agency, bringing her skills to schools in Walsall and through private tutoring.
Ruth balanced work and motherhood well but in her spare time she was a skilled seamstress and would often enjoy making clothes for herself and her daughter.
Adventure was also always a part of Ruth’s life. She and her husband loved nothing more than hitching up their caravan and exploring the landscapes of the country. Their favourite destinations included the rugged beauty of North Wales and the Lake District.
Reflecting on her many happy years, Ruth shared her secret to living a long life, saying: “I’ve always liked to keep things simple, I don’t believe in overcomplicating life. I had a happy childhood, I loved my job in teaching and my daughter Judy is delightful. I truly believe the fresh air and all the time I spent outdoors and in nature made all the difference.”
Thomas Bampfield, General Manager at Bishops Manor said: “Ruth’s 100th birthday was truly one to remember. The look on her face when she was reunited with her wedding ring through the replica we had made was so heartwarming and a very special moment for everyone involved in making this wish come true.
“It was wonderful to see Ruth surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone. The team at Bishops Manor worked tirelessly to make sure her day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to raise a glass to Ruth!”
Bishops Manor has a dedicated team offering a range of care options, including residential, dementia and nursing care. Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and the building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. It even has its very own café, hair and beauty salon, and pub.
To find out more about Bishops Manor, please call Jody Sedgwick, Customer Relations Manager, on 0121 667 3734, email jody.sedgwick@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/bishops-manor