A Ludlow man celebrated his 102nd birthday at home with his family on Tuesday.
Bernard Harvey Yapp was born on July 27, 1908, at 27, Rocks Lane, and lived both as a young lad and an adult in Corve Street and Old Street.
He outlived two brothers and four sisters but still lives at home in Clee Gardens with Nancy, his devoted wife of 77 years. Nancy will be getting her royal telegram in three years time.
The couple had four children, sons Harvey and Michael, the latter now deceased, and two daughters, Beryl and Jennifer. These three children all live in south Shropshire and there are eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
As a young man Bernard picked herbs for a Ludlow herbalist “Flemmons”. It was whilst doing this and a bit of blackberrying on the side that he met Nancy who described the meeting as “love at first sight”.
The couple married in May 1933 at the Ludlow Register Office – the wedding cost 7/6d!
Nancy and Bernard have never been separated except for the war years when Bernard served in the Royal Artillery. During this time Nancy worked in a munitions factory in Hereford.
In a varied life Bernard worked on the railways and for the water board and, before his retirement, he was working at the sawmills at the bottom of Mill Lane. He rode his bike around town until he was 86.
The family celebrated with a tea party for Bernard. There was a cake, said daughter Beryl Millichope, but it was felt 102 candles might be a bit dangerous so they had a few less.
“He managed to blow out the candles with the help of the grandchildren,” said Beryl. “They have a carer who pops in but Mum still does get the meals together. They are wonderful for their age and both still have their full faculties.”
When asked at his 100th birthday what he thought was the secret of his longevity Bernard said: “Plenty of exercise, plenty of fresh air and a wife who will look after me.”
It’s a formula that seems to be working!
Pictured: Bernard Yapp looks at his birthday card made by great granddaughter Jasmine Jones.
Picture by Andy Compton