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Hospice Volunteer celebrates her 100th birthday!

  • 24 July 2024

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Lady laughing sitting at the table

A very special visitor celebrated her 100th birthday in the Bistro recently. Alice Zeitlyn is a Volunteer Knitter and a member of the Charity’s, ‘Knits of the Round Table’ group.

14 colleagues and volunteers, who have become fond friends with Alice over the years, joined her at a special Afternoon Tea in the Bistro, where they all enjoyed tea, sandwiches, cakes, scones and a good old fashioned catch up.

Alice first got involved with the Charity when the Hospice opened in Mill Road in the early 1980’s. She shared:

“I was shown round by a lovely lady and I thought at that time that I would love to be looked after by her in my last days. So, I became a supporter with an annual donation.”

Group of women around one lady sitting in a chair
‘Knits of the round table’ celebrate with Alice (centre)

The Knit’s of the Round Table, led by our Caring Communities Coordinator, Chris Barker, knits many of the creations sold from our shops and Receptions at the Hospice and at the Alan Hudson Centre, such as the knitted Arthur Bear Picnic sets, chicks, advent stockings and they even once made a wonderful Wishing well!

Chris explained:

“The group was set up with the aim of getting people together socially, whilst making items for the Hospice. These items are sold to raise funds for patient care, as well as for use in the Hospice and adorning the grounds to bring a smile to people’s day.

Alice has been with the group since it started back in 2017, and a very popular and much-loved member, with her signature bee brooches.

It was a delight to honour this inspirational and humble lady with a special tea party to mark her 100th birthday and all the work she has put in to Knits of the Round Table. Thank you Alice!”

They are also responsible for the wonderfully creative lamppost ‘yarn bombing’ that greets you on the way to the Hospice at Shelford Bottom. Alice was taught to knit by a Danish lady who came to London to improve her English. She added:

“She worked for us as a cook for a year and was an amazing craft person. Knitting, crochet, embroidery etc. You say it and she did it.”

The skills that were passed on to Alice remain, as she continues to pass them on to other knitters. Alice continued:

“I knit anything. Shetland style shawls, socks, clothes for children from babyhood onwards. My speciality is finishing off unfinished knitting for others.”

We asked Alice the question on all our lips; “What’s your secret to living a long and healthy life?” and she replied modestly:

“No secret! I have always eaten a mixed diet and kept busy. I enjoyed listening to music, reading and theatre. I was lucky that I could afford this.”

Along with her gathering at the Bistro, Alice also celebrated her milestone birthday with 13 members of her family at the ‘Three Horseshoes’ in Madingley.

The Charity would like to thank Alice for all her support and contributions and we look forward to seeing lots more of her and her creations.

You can read more about Alice here: arhc.org.uk/team/detail/alice-volunteer-knitter/


If you would like to book a table for Afternoon Tea on a Wednesday afternoon, in the Bistro,  please call 01223 675777 or pop in to Reception at the Hospice.