105-year-old woman celebrates birthday with rave in care home: Watch

A woman celebrated her 105th birthday with a rave in the Derbyshire care home she lives in last week. 

Featuring sponsorship and a pop-up bar from Jägermeister, as well as champagne and food for the birthday girl and her fellow care home residents provided by Aldi, the rave in honour of Hilda Jackson featured guest sets from a drum & bass DJ and Nottingham-based rapper Bru-C. In addition to the music and drinks, strobe lighting and glow sticks were provided to give the full rave experience. Just a few weeks ago, Jackson’s interest in having a rave for her birthday had been widely reported.

“I’ve had a wonderful time,” Jackson told The Guardian amid the festivities at Holbrook Hall care home. “The people here are wonderful and I think we’ve had a really good time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, and that’s everything.”

She continued: “I think it’s been absolutely fabulous. I never expected this at all. I knew there’d be some [people] but not the amount of all the people who have come. And I’m very, very grateful to everyone that has come, [it’s] lovely.”

Jackson has lived at the care home in Derbyshire for two-and-a-half years. Speaking further to The Guardian about reaching the age of 105, she put it down to leading a reasonably healthy lifestyle and keeping active.

“I’ve been very lucky with my health, and that is very important, your health. I’ve not abused myself. I have a drink and I love a drink, but that’s it. I love ballroom dancing. I do go twice a week. I’m still dancing.”

Claire Allen, the care home’s activities coordinator said: “Honestly, I’m amazed and so thrilled. Hilda is the most deserving person to have this. All the residents here are, they’re great. Our ethos is to continue living when you come here, so we try and make every dream possible come true. So we’re just really excited.”

Bru-C got involved in the party after his manager heard it was happening on local radio. “That was epic,” he told The Guardian after his set. “I can’t lie, I didn’t know what to expect, but it was actually really good. I enjoyed it a lot. I think [Hilda’s] a certified drum & bass raver now.”

Watch a video from the event here.

A fundraiser has also been launched to help pay for a new minibus for the residents at Holbrook Hall. You can donate to that here.

Revisit DJ Mag’s 2022 Meet the MC feature with Bru-C here.