WELL-KNOWN Alcester resident Peter Pritchard rounded off his 100th birthday on August 6 with a few drinks at his favourite pub with friends and family.
Peter, who has been actively involved in many Alcester community groups, enjoyed a glass or two of red wine at the Holly Bush in Henley Street after a day spent greeting a steady stream of well-wishers to the Cherry Trees care home where he has lived since September 2023.
The momentous day started with the mammoth task of opening 176 birthday cards that had piled up for him following a social media call-out from staff at Cherry Trees in the hope that he might get 100.
These included one from The King as well as homemade cards from children at St Nicholas’ Primary School and Alcester Scouts and Guides.
An enormous cake delivered by Steve Bennett from Alcester Scout Group was enjoyed in the courtyard with cups of tea by Peter’s nieces, nephews and other visitors whilst listening to singing from soprano Tora Wilson.
The mayor Councillor Mike Bowe and officers of the Court Leet also dropped by to wish him a happy birthday.
Peter, who was born in Epsom, Surrey on August 6, 1924, relocated to Alcester with late wife Brenda in the early 1970s due to his job working in the sales department of housing developer Algrey Homes.
The pair are reputed to have thrown legendary parties.
He was also responsible for development opportunities and one of his notable acquisitions was the Grade II listed Oversley House, a former derelict workhouse on Kinwarton Road which was turned into retirement flats.
Peter is particularly known for being a co-founder of the Alcester Food Festival, Alcester Lions and long-term stalwart of the town hall management committee.
During the Second World War, Peter served in India from 1943 to 1946 as a leading aircraftsman in the Royal Air Force.
When asked what the secret to his long life was, he simply put it ‘down to nature’.
