George Heavens (centre), resident of Colten Cares Brook View care home in West Moors, celebrated his 100th birthday with former neighbours and friends Peter Dunning, Brian Bailey, Jayne Bailey and Rosemary Dunning.
George Heavens celebrated his 100th birthday at his West Moors care home, surrounded by friends and former neighbours.
George, who lives at Colten Care’s Brook View in Riverside Road, marked his magnificent milestone with birthday cake and a glass of his favourite tipple, brandy.
He was joined by Jayne and Brian Bailey and Peter and Rosemary Dunning, whom he first met when he lived in Southern Avenue, West Moors.
Mrs Bailey explained: “George has been counting down the days to his 100th birthday and has had an absolutely lovely day.
“There has been a special cake made by Brook View’s chef and we have all enjoyed a brandy together.
“He’s also had letters from the Queen and the department of Work & Pensions congratulating him.”
George spent his early life in West Ham in London’s East End. But at the age of seven he moved to his uncle’s farm in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, where he would later work as a farmhand.
He married his wife Joan when he was 24 and she was 19 and after enjoying many happy holidays in Bournemouth they eventually decided to move here in 1958.
They bought a house in Southern Avenue, West Moors and both delivered post for the Royal Mail.
George was driving his car until he was 95 and both he and Joan were keen gardeners, but George developed arthritis in later years which reduced his mobility.
Both George and Joan moved into Brook View in 2016 when they needed help with their care.
Sadly Joan died on Christmas Day 2016. They had been married for 75 years.
Neighbour Peter Dunning, said: “He may have been born in West Ham but George is an Arsenal supporter through and through and still follows their fortunes keenly. In fact he flies the Arsenal flag in his room here at Brook View.
“It’s a real pleasure to know George and an honour to have celebrated this very special day with him.”