One of world’s oldest people celebrates turning 111 with whisky and 111 cards

By Ed Chatterton via SWNS

One of the world's oldest people has celebrated his 111th birthday today (Fri) - with a glass of whisky, an ABBA tribute band and 111 cards from well-wishers.

John Farringdon was born on June 7, 1913, and is now the second oldest man in the world after reaching the incredible milestone.

The supercentenarian puts his longevity down to a nightly glass of Grant’s whisky and a full English breakfast at his care home in Leamington Spa, Warks.

John has turned the same age as the world's oldest man John Tinniswood, who is also a Brit and lives in Liverpool.

John, who was born a year after the Titanic sank and when George V was on the throne, marked the special occasion with a party at Cubbington Mill Care Home.

After a visit from local schoolchildren, he enjoyed a barbecue, afternoon tea and a performance from an ABBA tribute band.

Staff had put out an appeal on social media in a bid to get John 111 cards to mark his big day - alongside his nine from the Queen and his second from the King.

They say they believe they have smashed the target after being inundated with cards and gifts from kind-hearted members of the community.

Laura Russell, general manager at Cubbington Mill, said: "We wanted it to be special for John so we put an appeal out on social media for 111 cards.

"Because of his age, John doesn't have lots of family, but we here are like family to him and we are very proud to have him here.

"I think we've easily beaten that number although he's yet to open them all because it is going to take quite a while and we have a busy day for him planned.

"Last year we had to open his cards the following day just because we didn't have enough time.

"We've got children from the local school coming, followed by a barbecue this afternoon and who are supposed to be the world's best ABBA tribute band.

"His step-daughter is coming up from Devon, she's in her 80's herself and we're going to have afternoon tea as well.

"John enjoys a party so I'm sure we'll have a brilliant day.

"He enjoys a whisky John does - and I'm sure he'll have one today, probably more than just the one actually.

"He is now the second oldest man in the world - but you wouldn't know it if you met him.

"It's an honor to have him here and other than being hard of hearing he is still doing fantastic.

"During this week especially when we're remembering our D-Day veterans, its quite poignant to celebrate somebody of this remarkable age."

John was born in Enfield, north London, a year before the First World War and his first job was repairing typewriters at the age of 16.

He then worked for car manufacturer at Ford for 40 years - first in Dagenham, Essex, before moving to their foundry in Leamington Spa.

John made tank parts for the Army during the war years and he dreamed of being a Spitfire pilot, which unfortunately never materialized.

But the motor enthusiast continued his love of cars and was still driving up until the age of 103. Fittingly, his last car was a Ford Focus.

Last year, the politics fan also got to achieve a lifelong dream of visiting Parliament and meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

John survives his long-term partner Vera, mother to his step-daughter Jennifer, who lives in Devon, and his wife Irene.

John said the secret to his long life might also be down to "all the female company" he's had.

He added: "I didn't really know what was going to happen today, they kept all this a secret from me.

"I've just been trying to take everything in. I've had so many visitors.

"People ask me all the time what's the secret to living so long, I don't really know - maybe its all the female company that I've had.

"My earliest memory is being turned down by Air Force, I wanted to be a Spitfire pilot. They turned me down on account of my deafness. I could have cried.

"I do remember bits of the First World War too, all the zeppelins coming over.

"D-day this week has been difficult to take in, you can't believe it, wading through that channel to deliver us from the Nazis. I remember it well.

"I'm told I'm the second oldest and I think the oldest looks a bit younger than me actually.

"It doesn't feel much different to be honest, there's not that much difference between that and 110."