Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

A Round of Applause for That Man

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • A Round of Applause for That Man

    Just seen this on the BBC Website .
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6567365.stm

    If you dont want to click the link heres the text-
    Gardener downs his tools at 104

    Jim Webber at work
    A gardener has decided to down tools on his working life at the age of 104.
    Jim Webber has been working the land in Dorset for 93 years, without taking holidays, but arthritis has forced him to retire.

    Mr Webber told BBC news: "I'd do about 10 minutes and have to sit down - I couldn't carry on. That wasn't fair for the people I was working for."

    The keen gardener, from Stoke Abbott, said he now planned to focus on his own garden and sell some of his produce.

    Mr Webber said: "I haven't got a big wage now coming in, do you see - I've only got old age pension, so I'll try and sell a bit."

    Born on Christmas Eve 1902, Mr Webber began his career as a farm labourer in Dorset, and won prizes for ploughing.

    In gardening, he worked with his brother Jack, until he died at the age of 95 in July last year.

    His daughter, Kathleen, 68, now helps him with his home garden.

    Bit of medicine

    Mr Webber carried out hedging, mowed lawns and other gardening jobs for residents of Stoke Abbott, as well as mowing the lawn of the local pub, the New Inn.

    Richard Ward, landlord at the New Inn, said: "The only reason he's retired is he can't get up on his tractor to bring the lawnmower down.

    "He's amazing, a really amazing character."

    Mr Ward's partner, Mary Shiels, added: "We inherited him [Mr Webber] with the pub, he'd come around and do whatever he felt needed to be done.

    "He was disappointed to let us down, but it was time enough really - a well deserved rest."

    Mr Webber said he had never taken a break: "I've never fancied a holiday, never fancied one.

    "I'd rather stay and knock about at home or whatever than go on holiday."

    He puts his longevity down to having "plenty to do and being interested in it" - as well as a bit of his "medicine" - whisky.


    Hope we all last as long.
    There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore and who always will. Don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it in your future.

  • #2
    Thanks for flagging that up Beefy. I think the rest of us are just wimps ! There do seem to be some people who are just made of different stuff. Stainless steel maybe !

    From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

    Comment


    • #3
      It was the quote -"I couldn't carry on. That wasn't fair for the people I was working for." that got me .Most of the people he was working for are probably about half his age.
      There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore and who always will. Don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it in your future.

      Comment


      • #4
        Bless, sounds like he definately deserves a rest.
        Happy Gardening,
        Shirley

        Comment


        • #5
          And a target for all of us to aim at, knew that gardening was good for you.
          TonyF, Dordogne 24220

          Comment


          • #6
            I heard that on Radio 2 today Beefy, and I didn't know whether to jump for joy or burst into tears! It really touched my emotions. What a fabulous-sounding bloke..... and gardening really does 'get you' that way doesn't it?

            Comment


            • #7
              An amazing man indeed! An inspiration to us all!

              Zebedee
              "Raised to a state of heavenly lunacy where I just can't be touched!"

              Comment


              • #8
                Wow, I hope that Mr D and I are going just as strong at that age!
                Blessings
                Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

                'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

                The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - an Allotment & Beekeeping blogspot!
                Last updated 16th April - Video intro to our very messy allotment!
                Dobby's Dog's - a Doggy Blog of pics n posts - RIP Bella gone but never forgotten xx
                On Dark Ravens Wing - a pagan blog of musings and experiences

                Comment


                • #9
                  Wonder if the whisky had anything to do with it too???!
                  Good for him and his brother.
                  Hope we're still on our lottie for many years to come!
                  Last edited by Nicos; 19-04-2007, 09:02 AM.
                  "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                  Location....Normandy France

                  Comment

                  Latest Topics

                  Collapse

                  Recent Blog Posts

                  Collapse
                  Working...
                  X