Joan Haslam, who lives at MHA The Homestead in Carterton, turned 100 on April 21 and received the cards following an appeal from the care home.

Staff had hoped to gather 100 cards for Joan’s milestone birthday, but the final total more than doubled their goal.

The cards came from across the community, including schools, nurseries, residents, staff, and family.

Verity Perkins, deputy home manager, said: “We are all very thrilled for Joan and to receive the number of cards she did is tremendous.

“The support shown to the appeal has been amazing and we can’t thank everyone enough.”

Among the cards was a telegram from the King, as well as a card from Bletchley Park, where Joan worked during the Second World War.

She celebrated the day with her three children – David, John, and Trish – and their families in a lounge decorated with banners and balloons.

The care home arranged a private party and a buffet for the family.

Ms Perkins said Joan opened around 150 cards before becoming too tired, and described the King’s telegram as her favourite.

She said: “Her favourite card by far was the telegram from the King, which she kept on looking at and kept with her for a while.”

Joan’s family also shared their appreciation for the home’s efforts in making the day special.

MHA The Homestead provides residential and dementia care for 68 residents.

The Oxfordshire estate is celebrating the return of spring and summer with a host of horticultural highlights and new planting schemes, from April 27 to May 3.

Visitors can enjoy a refreshed Secret Garden filled with hellebores, epimediums, and rhododendrons.

A new ‘stump garden’ walk adds a bold, spiky touch with birch trees, ferns, and sculptural stumps.

Andy Mills, head gardener at Blenheim Palace, said: “Across the gardens, we’re focused on creating spaces that evolve beautifully through the seasons whilst offering something new and memorable for our visitors each year.

“From the early spring planting in the Secret Garden to the bold structural changes, this year is about building layers of interest, biodiversity, and experience.

“National Gardening Week is a wonderful moment to celebrate the work of our team and to inspire visitors with ideas they can take home to their own gardens.”

Other highlights include fresh drifts of spring bulbs across the grounds, new tree planting in the Arboretum, and red-stemmed willows by the riverbanks.

A recently planted avenue of ornamental crab apples leads from the Rose Garden to the Temple of Flora, dedicated to the goddess of spring and flowers.

All three garden ‘temples’ – Diana, Health, and Flora – are now open to visitors, allowing visitors to step inside, sit, and take in the panoramic views from each vantage point.

In the Walled Garden, 40 new fruit trees have been added, including heritage varieties such as Bloody Ploughman and Belle de Boskoop.

The Theatre will host the new show from Aylmers Circus, ‘Making a Scene’, on Saturday, July 4.

It stars Nancy Trotter Landry, known for her work with Giffords Circus, and will feature Ciaran Innes, who will showcase his Rola Bola and juggling acts following his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.

The show promises a high-energy circus adventure with acrobatics, theatrical storytelling, and audience participation.

Some of the acts include LED hula hooping, hand balancing, high-speed roller skating, and lollipop and pole performances.

Chipping Norton will be the show’s second stop on its tour, after starting in Stroud on June 26 and concluding in Bristol on July 5.

Aylmers Circus was founded in 2024 by Gloucestershire-born producer Harvey Aylmer, who began his circus journey at the age of 10 to raise money for charity.

Mr Aylmer trained under Nell Gifford at Giffords Circus and completed a degree in theatre production from Bath Spa University.

He has worked with prestigious companies, including Giffords Circus and Cirque du Soleil.

The show is expected to last 100 minutes, including an interval, and is suitable for all ages.

Tickets are available for purchase, with prices set at £21 for adults, £15 for under 16s, and £55 for a family ticket (two adults and two under 16s).

Tickets can be purchased at aylmerscircus.co.uk.