Telegrams from the Queen and Mr Peter Lilley, Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security, were delivered to Mr Frank Jelfs as he celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday.
Mr Jelfs, affectionately known all his life as “Loppop”, moved into his home in Synehurst, Badsey, when it was built in 1921 and told Evesham and Pershore Housing Association chiefs who called in to congratulate him that he had never owed a penny in rent. His rent when he moved into the house with his new bride was the equivalent of 25p a week at a time when he was earning £1 a week.
He started work as a market gardener at 10s a week, then became a self-employed market gardener before working for Littleton & Badsey Growers for 40 years, serving as a committee member for 33 years, retiring only when he was 80.
“At the height of the market garden industry in the Vale, I remember selling over 600 tons of asparagus from around Badsey one year,” he said. “Now it would be difficult to find 6 cwt from the whole of the country.”
Mr Jelfs drove his car until five years ago, and although now both partially blind and deaf still has a very active mind.
Two of his three daughters live with him at Badsey and Mr Jelfs also has two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Pictured with Mr Jelfs are, from left, Gerry Barnett, housing association chairman, Ian Hughes, chief executive, and Chris Scott-Tucker of the EPHA.