He featured many times in our paper over the years and was an inspiration to many - so, in his memory, we wanted to put together a few photos and quotes from him.
The main question people asked him when he reached 111 was 'what is the secret to a long and happy life?'. A nightly glass of Grant’s whisky and a full English breakfast was one of his answers! And let’s not forget, he was a Dancing Queen fan of ABBA!
John led an incredible life: he worked at Ford Motor Company for 40 years, was the second oldest man in the world, carried the baton for the Queen’s Commonwealth Games, met with the Red Arrows at Ragley Hall, and even had the chance to be introduced to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Number 10 Downing Street.
Here are a few memories – our thanks to Cubbington Mill Care Home for all their photos and information.
5. King’s Coronation
During the celebrations for the King's Coronation at Cubbington Mill, John said: “I can just about remember the Queen’s Coronation, I was very small but I remember the street party we had then and this was just as much fun. "We all wanted to pay our respects to the new King and create new memories, it is such an important occasion to mark.” Photo: Submitted photo
6. Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations
During the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, John said: “The Queen is an amazing lady, everyone wanted to get involved in the celebrations. It is remarkable to think she has been on the throne for 70 years, such an achievement! I can just about remember the Coronation, I was very small but I remember the street party we had then and this was just as much fun. We all wanted to pay our respects and say thank you for all that the Queen has done for this country.” Photo: Submitted photo
7. A dream come true at the Houses of Parliament
On John Farringdon’s 110 th birthday his local MP, Jeremy Wright, visited him at Cubbington Mill care home in Cubbington. John told Jeremy that he would love to have the opportunity to visit Parliament but felt it would be impossible now.Behind the scenes and working with the team at Cubbington Mill, Jeremy Wright set to work making arrangements for John to go to Parliament and watch Prime Minister’s Questions. Unbeknownst to John, he not only arranged for John to meet the Speaker prior to PM’s Questions but he also arranged to John to go to No. 10!Asked how he found the day, John said: “I am absolutely speechless, I cannot believe that I not only got to go to Parliament, which has always been an ambition, but that I got to go to Prime Minister’s Questions and that I got a mention! I am amazed. Then getting to go to No. 10 and meeting the PM is beyond my wildest dreams! It has honestly been one of the best days of my life! I am so so grateful to everyone who made it happen. I feel so blessed.” Photo: Submitted photos
8. Research for the biology of ageing
On Sunday May 19, 2024, John was invited to take part in research for the biology of ageing. President and Chief Science Officer of the LEV Foundation, Aubrey de Grey and Phlebotomist Natalie Coles, visited John at Cubbington Mill after travelling from the other side of the world in California.Aubrey and Natalie took an instant fondness to John, recognising his routine and how well looked after he is at Cubbington Mill Care Home. They all cheered a whiskey and reminisced over life stories, in the dining room.John wondered (in typical John fashion), what he had done to be ‘so important’ and have all the attention on him. Photo: Submitted photos