109-year-old honoured by church for lifetime of service
One of the UK’s oldest men has been honoured with a “lifetime of service” award from the church he has been a member of for more than 70 years.
Alfred Smith, 109, has been a member of the Church of Scotland since 1945 and an 年上の since 1967.
The centenarian, from the village of St Madoes in Perth and Kinross, 株 his age and birth date with （頭が）ひょいと動く Weighton, of Alton in Hampshire, 同様に as with one of the country’s oldest women, Joan Eileen Hocquard of Bournemouth.
Rt Rev Russell Barr, Moderator of the General 議会, visited Mr Smith at home to 現在の the award on に代わって of the Kirk.
Rt Rev Russell Barr and Alfred Smith, 109, who has been a member of the Church of Scotland since 1945 (Church of Scotland/PA Wire)
He said: “Of all the many people I have met during my year as Moderator, Alfred Smith is one of the most remarkable. At 109 years old he 保持するs a lively sense of humour, a continuing 利益／興味 in life, 含むing the life of the church, and he is a 広大な／多数の／重要な 物語を話す人／作家.”
Mr Smith was a member of the 解放する／自由な Church in Invergowrie until 1945 and then became a member of the Church of Scotland, …に出席するing Kinfauns Parish Church, which later joined with Kilspindie and St Madoes.
He said: “It is just wonderful to have a visit from the Moderator. How he finds time to see me is やめる something. I have always loved the church as it has given me so much over the years.”
Asked for his secret to a long and happy life, the former 農業者 said: “Porridge is helpful and having a 職業 you enjoy.”
Mr Smith credits porridge for his longevity (PA)
Mr Smith was born in Invergowrie in 1908, the fifth of six sons of John and Jessie Smith. He was educated at Invergowrie 最初の／主要な School and Harris 学院, Dundee.
He emigrated to Canada, along with four of his brothers, in 1927 but returned after five years and went on to 運動 lorries for his brother George.
During the Second World War, he was in the Home Guard, and married Isobel when he was 29. The couple went on to farm at Kinfauns where they raised two children, Irene and Allan. Mrs Smith died almost 14 years ago, 老年の 97.
Marc Bircham, 大臣 of St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church, said: “It has been a 広大な／多数の／重要な joy and 特権 to be Alf’s 大臣 and friend.
“He is a blessing to our congregation and community and on a personal level he has been a 広大な／多数の／重要な encourager to myself, not least by referring to me as ‘young man’.”
