A 109-YEAR-old from Cubbington has taken part in the Commonwealth Games baton relay.
John Farringdon – who is Warwickshire’s oldest man – completed a leg of the Queen’s baton relay in Broadway on Friday (July 22).
John, a resident of Barchester Healthcare’s Cubbington Mill Care Home, began his stint at the “Kissing Gate” entrance to Broadway Tower and was pushed up the hill by his carer Laura Renalson.
At Broadway Tower they were met by Wychavon’s Chairman Coun Alex Sinton for the official handover ceremony before the baton made its way, under police escort, to Pershore.
John was just 17-years-old when the Commonwealth held its first games in 1930 in Canada.
John said: “I am honoured to have taken part in such an historic event and to have been chosen as a batonbearer. It has been such a wonderful day, I even got to meet a
Commonwealth gold medallist, swimmer Patricia Bevan. I never thought I would be given such an honour in my lifetime. I will always remember carrying the Queen’s baton”.
Laura Russell, General Manager for Cubbington Mill care home, added: “We are all so proud of John and so delighted for him, he is an absolute marvel. It is such an honour for him to be chosen and what a memory for him to cherish. Everyone from the home was cheering him on when he completed his leg of the relay”.
