Joan Coote Celebrates 100th Birthday with visit to Mayor’s Parlour

Last Tuesday, Joan Coote, a lifelong Falmouth resident, and her daughter Valerie were invited by the Mayor, Cllr Alan Jewell, and Cllr David Saunby to a special afternoon tea in the Mayor’s Parlour to celebrate Joan’s remarkable achievement of reaching her 100th birthday.

Joan was born at 8 Kimberley Park Road in Falmouth on 6 September 1925 and has lived all her life in the town. She was christened, confirmed and married at Penwerris: St Michael & All Angels, reflecting her long-standing ties to the local community.

The visit to the Municipal Buildings was particularly meaningful, as Joan had worked there as a young woman during the Second World War as a secretary to the town clerk under the mayoralty of William Alfred Lamb (1946–1949). It was also during this time that she first spotted her future husband, Roy Coote, crossing the Moor.

The couple married in 1947 – the same year that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip married. By coincidence, Joan and Roy later attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. They went on to have four children, ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. When asked about the secret to her long life, Joan simply said “my wonderful family.”

Roy Coote, who passed away in 1999, was a well-known local figure who worked as a tugboat captain at the docks and once captained a tug all the way from Hong Kong to Falmouth. He was also a South West Lightweight Boxing Champion who competed at the Albert Hall.

Despite reaching 100, Joan continues to lead a notably active social life, regularly attending a weekly bingo club at Laburnum Drive, where members recently organised a surprise birthday celebration and presented her with a commemorative cup.

During the afternoon tea, both the Mayor, Cllr Alan Jewell, and Cllr David Saunby shared their reflections. Cllr Saunby recalled his own memories of Joan from when he was growing up, while the Mayor remarked that she appeared to have a more active social life than the rest of the group present, as Joan took great pleasure in describing her busy routine filled with her beloved family and friends. Emily Middleditch, the Mayor’s Secretary, was also present, and a group photograph was taken including Joan, Emily, the Mayor and Cllr Saunby, marking a moment between past and present.

The afternoon was a fitting way to celebrate Joan’s milestone, with everyone thoroughly enjoying listening to her stories and reflecting on a remarkable life spent in Falmouth.