Great-Granny Harrison Turns 103 with Birthday Bash
Clara Harrison celebrated her 103rd birthday at Brancepeth Court care home in Willington, County Durham. Born in September 1923, Clara grew up on a coal miner's row and worked at the local munitions factory during World War II. She married Richard, known as Dick, in 1942 and had three children before moving into the care home in March 2026.
Clara's family and care staff threw her two birthday parties, one on September 3rd and another on September 5th. The celebrations included a visit to Lanchester Garden Centre and a Colin the Caterpillar cake, which Clara tried for the first time on her special day. 'I have had a lovely birthday; it's been lovely,' she said.
Natalie Henderson, care manager at Brancepeth Court, praised Clara as 'the life and soul' with a 'fabulous sense of humour'. She added that Clara is always offering life advice to younger generations and making the care assistants laugh.