Celebrations for a centenarian
Ashleigh Burns • Published 13 Oct 2011 08:00
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Deputy Lord Lieutenant Robert Anderson and Provost Derek Stewart with 100-year-old Andrew Cunningham.
Picture: David Robertson
CELEBRATIONS took place in the Alloa home of Andrew Cunningham last week to mark his 100th birthday.
Provost Derek Stewart and Depute Lord Lieutenant Robert Anderson paid Andrew a surprise visit last Wednesday when they reminisced about Alloa's years gone by.
Andrew's living room was filled with cards wishing him a happy birthday, including one from the Queen, and he said it had been "a lovely day."
Three sons - Allan, Andrew and William - and daughter-in-laws gathered for a special lunch to celebrate the occasion and seven of his carers dropped by to wish him well.
Although Andrew was brought up in Bathgate he has been in the Alloa area for a number of years and spent 44 years working for Weirs Pumps - formerly Harlands Engineering Company.
He began working in the steelworks industry at 14 years old and explained, "When I finished my apprenticeship I heard they were looking for jobs in Alloa and I packed up and came through here.
"I was in digs in Forbes Street and then got married and stayed in Kincardine, and then we came back to Hill Street in 1947.
"Then after the boys were married, we thought we'd apply for a council house and we came down and got one here and have been here ever since."
He now has eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
It was a diverse career for Andrew up until he retired in 1976, having helped to design parts for the Mosquito Bomber with de Havilland Aircraft Company in North London for WW2.
At one point he was even the constituency secretary for MP Arthur Woodburn and stood for the local council on a few occasions.
Andrew continues to be involved in the local community and is a regular at Alloa Bowling Club where they keep a bottle of Cameron Brig Whisky set aside for him.
An Andrew Cunningham competition and trophy at the club also helps to raise funds for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and money resulting from this was presented to Rachel House last week.
He doesn't hold any secret tips on how to live a long life and simply says that he is very fortunate.
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 12 Oct 11
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