Active Alf celebrates turning 100

Alf Webb continues to live independently with his wife Betty at their flat in the McCarthy & Stone complex in Church Street.

He grew up in London and later met Betty through his sister, Rosa, who was Betty’s best friend.

They were married on September 30, 1939 in Southgate, north London, and settled in Bounds Green.

The couple have a daughter, Maggie, who visits them regularly from Australia, a son, Brian, who lives in the UK and a grandson, Damien, aged 26.

Alf worked in the confectionery industry throughout his life, as a salesman for Fry’s and as an area sales manager for Duncan’s and later Millars, both of Edinburgh.

Retiring in 1979, Alf and Betty moved south to just outside Hastings and then, in 1981, to Felpham where they spent many happy years.

In 1992, aged 78, Alf suffered a brain tumour and faced huge and invasive surgery leaving him weak and unwell.

However, to the amazement of all, Alf fought back and, having moved to a smaller property in Barnham, he and Betty continued to live independently.

Alf said: ‘We both have a strong Christian faith and this has been the basis of our marriage and daily life and has given us so much strength in difficult times.”

As active members of their local churches, Alf served for many years as a deacon and sang tenor in the church choir.

The couple moved to Claridge House, a McCarthy & Stone complex in Littlehampton, in January 2012.

They keep in touch with friends in Barnham, have made many friends within the complex and are members of Parkside Evangelical Church in Littlehampton.

Email and Skype became new interests in their 90s and Alf and Betty enjoy daily phone calls or a Skype session with their daughter Maggie in Australia.

Maggie said: “My father is an amazing man who never gives up. He has an incredible sense of humour and routinely continues to surprise us with his quick witted puns. It is a huge privilege to be celebrating this special occasion with them both.”