A Cheadle care home resident who is celebrating her 100th birthday recommends that people “stay single” if they want to live a long life.
Joyce Preston is marking a milestone that not many people get to reach in their lifetimes, as she impressively turned 100 years of age a couple of weeks back on 20 March, and so naturally, she’s been taking some time to reflect and look back on the decades she’s been lucky enough to spend on this earth.
Not only that, but the Stockport centenarian has also shared what she believes is the key to living a long life in the hopes it’ll help others to do the same.
She may currently be a resident at Care UK’s Abney Court Care Home, in Abney Hall Park in Cheadle, at the moment, but Joyce was born in Stockport on 20 March 1924.
Making the decision to never get married, Joyce instead decided to focus on her career at the Shirley Institute – which was a research centre for the cotton industry – and after years of her hard work, she went on to become the head of the company’s office in Didsbury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Joyce Preston, from Stockport, is celebrating her 100th birthday / Credit: Care UK (Supplied / Family Handout)
Joyce has visited many countries across the world throughout her life, thanks to a shared love of travelling on cruises with her close friends, and reveals she was the most fond of her time spent in the Middle East in particular.
Aside from travelling, Joyce has always had a passion for singing, and she spent many years performing with her local choir.
ADVERTISEMENT
But what exactly does she owe her 100 years to then? What does she reckon is the key to living a long and healthy life? Well, we’ll need to go back to the ‘never marrying’ part to find the answer for that, as Joyce has attributed her impressive longevity to “staying single”, and ultimately, having fun.
“I really enjoyed the day,” Joyce said, after celebrating her 100th birthday in style during a party at Abney Court last month, that was complete with a cake specially-prepared by the home’s Head Chef, and a performance by the choir she used to be a was a part of.
Abney Court Care Home in Cheadle, where Joyce is a resident / Credit: Care UK
“I especially enjoyed seeing my friends and family, and I loved the choir as it brought back memories of my time in the choir, so that made my day.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoe Smart, who is the Home Manager at Abney Court, said it was an “honour” to celebrate Joyce’s birthday with her, as she is “a beloved resident” and that everything the home does centres around “supporting residents to live fulfilling lives”.
“We are always eager to mark special occasions,” Zoe added.
“Joyce’s 100th birthday was no exception, and it was a delight to hear her sound advice for living a long and happy life and all about her travels in her younger years.”
Featured Image – Care UK
Trending
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
Serving as yet another fitting tribute from his beloved football club, who already honoured the late, great, Manc musician at Old Trafford, it’s rumoured to launch later this year.
Snapped alongside United’s current third kit for the 25/26 season, the rumoured ‘lifestyle’ jersey is apparently coming very soon.
This pair of images has seemingly confirmed the claims made by trusted online kit source, Footy Headlines, who specialise in sharing pictures of the football shirts, boots and more, who had already reported on the release in 2025.
As you can see, not only does the design feature a striking blue take on the band’s iconic album art style (expanded from an original painting by guitarist John Squire), but if you look closely, it also features the band’s iconic song and overriding slogan, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, built into the crest.
You can see the rest of the existing Stone Roses collection in full down below.
We’re sure there are loads of other little details besides the twist on the badge still to be spotted, but for now, all we know is that the world-famous sporting franchise is continuing to capitalise even further on The Stone Roses connection.
Since the last batch of officially licensed adidas x Stone Roses merch quickly became collector’s items, we can only assume that this latest shirt won’t be the only new addition.
For instance, one user already commented, ‘Where’s the bucket hat?’
As for Manchester United, they’re no doubt looking to generate as much revenue as possible after having to pay another sizeable severance package following the sacking of Ruben Amorim – the question is, who is going to be next?
Emily Sergeant -
11th April 2024 
