Leamington 100-year-old defies age stereotypes

The former Ford Foundry worker continues to live on his own, cook and shop for himself and drive around the country to visit friends and family.

And on Saturday, he will partied away with around 30 people at a gathering arranged by his neighbours to celebrate reaching his 100th year.

Born in Enfield, London, on June 7 1913, Mr Farringdon - the only son out of four children - joined the Ford company in 1935 and worked for the firm for 39 years.

After being asked to move to the Ford Foundry in Leamington in 1942, he settled down in the town and has lived in his current house for 46 years.

He said: “I have enjoyed living in Leamington very much but it has changed a great deal.

“There were hardly any cars when I came. Then everybody bought cars and the roads have become increasingly full of them.

“There have been a lot of shops closing and new ones opening. Supermarkets have taken over, which I don’t think has been an improvement.”

Having obtained his driving licence for five shillings at the age of 17 - at a time when there was no requirement to pass a test - Mr Farringdon still enjoys driving and, if accompanied, will drive around the country to visit people.

He said: “I haven’t a clue why I have lived so long. I suspect that most men probably don’t live to be 100 because they are hen-pecked!”