100th birthday

A Caerphilly-man who served in World War II has celebrated his 100^th birthday.

Phillip Bevan was surrounded by family, friends, carers and residents to celebrate his special birthday at Plas Hyfryd, an Extra Care housing scheme provided by United Welsh.

Born in 1918, Phillip served as a Home Guard in the second World War, defending five thousand miles of British coastline. After the war, he worked in the mines until his retirement at baby care manufacturing company Johnsons & Johnsons in Blackwood.

He has lived at Plas Hyfryd for six years, where Phillip has really enjoyed socialising with his neighbours at bingo nights, dominoes nights and other scheme events.

Roger Bevan, Phillip’s son said: “To my Dad, Plas Hyfryd is home and I couldn’t ask for anywhere better.

“When we had bad snow, I couldn’t get to Caerphilly to visit him but all I had to do was phone Plas Hyfryd. They let me know how Dad was and what he had been up to and it’s small things like that which makes me so glad we found this place.”

A party was organised at Plas Hyfryd’s coffee lounge to celebrate Phillip’s special day, where his congratulatory greeting card from Her Majesty, the Queen was proudly on display.

A buffet and handmade birthday cake was provided by Vision 21, who are United Welsh’s Charity of the Year for 2018. The charity provides quality environments for people with learning needs to take up work-based training opportunities and they deliver catering services for Plas Hyfryd as well as United Welsh’s other Extra Care scheme, Llys Nant Y Mynydd in Nantyglo.

Llian Perry, Care Manager at Plas Hyfryd said: “I’ve worked with Phillip since he moved to Plas Hyfryd. He’s a well-loved member of the community who always has a wonderful smile, even when he’s poorly.”

Katrina Zaworotko, United Welsh Scheme Manager for Plas Hyfryd said: Phillip’s birthday was a wonderful occasion and the room was full of energy. Happy birthday Phillip!”