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Britain's oldest man marks 110th birthday | Britain's oldest man marks 110th birthday |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Britain's oldest man is celebrating his 110th birthday. | Britain's oldest man is celebrating his 110th birthday. |
A public concert was held on Saturday night for former church minister Reg Dean, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, although he was unable to attend. | A public concert was held on Saturday night for former church minister Reg Dean, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, although he was unable to attend. |
The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, which he set up, will sing for him later. | The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, which he set up, will sing for him later. |
Mr Dean, who was born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, says the secret of his longevity is being lazy, but his family says it may be down to a potion he drank in India. | Mr Dean, who was born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, says the secret of his longevity is being lazy, but his family says it may be down to a potion he drank in India. |
Having been unwell, Mr Dean was presented with his cake in bed. | Having been unwell, Mr Dean was presented with his cake in bed. |
Indian elixir | |
Asked how he felt, he said: "A year older than when I was 109! It has been a long year but I feel much better now. | Asked how he felt, he said: "A year older than when I was 109! It has been a long year but I feel much better now. |
"I can't say enough (about the birthday celebrations), it's all very kind and I did not expect it and of course I shall have another one when I am 130." | "I can't say enough (about the birthday celebrations), it's all very kind and I did not expect it and of course I shall have another one when I am 130." |
Mr Dean, who has lived in Derbyshire since 1947, has lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers. | Mr Dean, who has lived in Derbyshire since 1947, has lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers. |
Stationed in Burma as an army chaplain during World War II, Mr Dean continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80. | Stationed in Burma as an army chaplain during World War II, Mr Dean continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80. |
He also spent 10 years working as a teacher and has been married three times. | He also spent 10 years working as a teacher and has been married three times. |
His son, Christopher said the family had its own theory about his long life. | His son, Christopher said the family had its own theory about his long life. |
"When he was out in India, just before World War I, he was given an elixir by a local there. | "When he was out in India, just before World War I, he was given an elixir by a local there. |
"He did a favour for one of the locals and this guy said, 'drink this and you'll live til at least 100'. | "He did a favour for one of the locals and this guy said, 'drink this and you'll live til at least 100'. |
"And he said being naive 'I just drank it' - this muddy mixture and here he is now - no one can argue with that now." | "And he said being naive 'I just drank it' - this muddy mixture and here he is now - no one can argue with that now." |
Mr Dean became Britain's oldest man after the death of 110-year-old Stanley Lucas, from Cornwall, in June 2010. | Mr Dean became Britain's oldest man after the death of 110-year-old Stanley Lucas, from Cornwall, in June 2010. |
The current world record holder is 115-year-old Jiroemon Kimura from Japan. | The current world record holder is 115-year-old Jiroemon Kimura from Japan. |