Neston resident Adam Bidston celebrates his 108th birthday
Published: 14th December 2010 15:53 |
Adam Bidston, a Neston resident, celebrated his 108th birthday this week, with a tea party at the new Sainsbury's store in the town centre.
Staff were delighted to welcome Mr Bidston, members of his family and carers to the specially organised event.
Born in Arkel Street, Liverpool in 1902, above his father's tailors shop, Mr Bidston and his family, including a brother and five sisters, then moved to a large house in Russell Street. The new family home included two stables, occasionally accomdating racehorses, which may have sparked his lifelong love of horse-racing. To this day he still enjoys the occasional flutter.
Mr Bidston's father and the family were good friends of the Cohen family (who launched Tesco from a Barrow in Liverpool) and the Lewis family (of the Lewis Department Store) which may have set his career path. He started working in a trade which he would follow throughout his career - the import and export of food. His career involved a lot of travel, mainly to Canada and the USA, flying in some of the first passenger planes that crossed the Atlantic and some of the cruise lines such as the Blue Star and Cunard.
He also was an influential figure within the Liverpool Exchange. He retired from business in his seventies.
He missed out on World War I as he was too young by a year to join. In World War II he was seconded to the government to oversee, maintain and ensure produce supplies to the UK were kept going. He was at this time working a lot from London and Croydon, leaving his wife and two boys who were evacuated to Wales then the Isle of Man. During the Blitz he suffered the consequences of a landmine being dropped on the building he was in, leaving him trapped for twenty hours under rubble before being taken to hospital.
Mr Bidston now enjoys spending time with his family - most recently enjoying a Bonfire Night party with them. One of his grandsons said today: "Grandad's mobility is more difficult now but he has the support of the family and the carers that do an excellent job, which he is most appreciative of."
Many Happy Returns, Adam!
Sainsbury's would like to thank Lynne James from Cakes & Celebrations for kindly donating the balloons for Mr Bidston's birthday celebration.
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Comments
This is my Grandad, my stepdad Fred was his son, sadly Fred is no longer with us but just I wanted to wish you Happy Birthday from all this side of the family, hope to see you soon, 108 not out....lots of love from Diane, Margaret, David and Mark xxxxx
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