RESIDENTS and the team at Station House care home in Crewe were on hand with cards and balloons to help one of their own celebrate his 105th birthday with a party and a telegram from the Queen.

On Thursday, January 23, Maldwyn Bebb celebrated his birthday with a small party for friends and family and a large cake provided by the team at Station House.

Home Manager Sarah Evans said: “Maldwyn said he had a wonderful time. He had visitors throughout the day and he also received phone calls and emails from across the country. He was also very pleased to receive his royal card.”

Yesterday, Wednesday, January 29, Maldwyn was taken on a special outing by the team at Bentley and given a tour of the factory as he was a member of the family who were its original owners.

He was born in Shropshire and spent 13 years working on his father’s farm through what he describes as very cold, hard, frosty winters.

In 1942 he met Wendy Vickers, whose family owned the Vickers factory in Crewe. Wendy was a staff nurse at the Royal Shropshire Hospital when the pair met at a Young Farmers dance. They married shortly after and in 1951 they had their only son Maurice.

They moved to a smallholding in Stapley where Maldwyn kept cows and pigs, as well as working for a Ford dealership at Chatsfield and later at Bison Concrete in Winsford.

He said he attributes his long healthy life to working outside for many years and enjoying a brandy every night.

His son Maurice added: “At the age of 13 my dad taught me to drive a David Brown TVO tractor and I helped him put new drainpipes in. My dad is marvellous for his age and I am very impressed and proud of him.”

Station House manager Sarah Evans said: “We all love Maldwyn. He is a true gentleman and he has a great sense of humour. We were delighted to be able to make his day special and we would like to thank Bentley for organising their celebrations too.”