Bognor Regis man celebrates 100th birthday

Jimmy Black was out on the Marine Drive Gardens putting green on his big day for his weekly golfing challenge with his daughter.

The pair tackle the 18-hole course when weather permits with Mr Black often succeeding.

“I like putting,” said Mr Black.

“It’s interesting, it’s healthy and it’s good exercise.

“I do pretty well even though I’m blind in one eye.”

He followed his birthday game with his daily pint of Guinness and became the guest at a surprise party with his family of daughter, Marilyn Hamilton, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren as well as his neighbours in Hastings Close.

Mr Black was born in Balham, South London, into a family of a sister and an older brother. Their father was a compositor helping to print The Times newspaper.

Mr Black followed his father into the print business but decided to switch careers after he had qualified as a proof-reader because he was fed up with an office job.

He was appointed as the manager of a hotel in Upminster, Essex, and never looked back.

His final job was in charge of the student bars at Loughborough College with its national athletics training centre where he met the likes of Seb Coe.

Mr Black retired at 67 and moved to Spain.

But the ill health of his second wife prompted a return to England.

He settled in Bognor about 17 years ago.