Healthy eating key to long life for Danny
ABURSCOUGH man received a letter from the Queen as he celebrated his centenary. Danny Hunter, of School Lane, turned 100 on Tuesday, June 27.
Mr Hunter lived his whole life in Burscough and was perhaps most well known for running Hunters Shop newsagents on the corner of Lord Street in Burscough village – which is now home to an opticians.
Mr Hunter occupied the shop for approximately 40 years, from around 1930 until 1970.
He claims that his secret to living a long and healthy life is that he eats really well.
He said: “I was very happy to receive a letter from the Queen for the 100th birthday, my secret is just eating healthily.
“I am a great cook, and I have always done my own cooking. It might also be due to the fact I have never had a full pint in my life.”
To pass time, Mr Hunter enjoys tending his greenhouse – where he grows tomatoes – and cultivating potatoes.
He also likes to spend time in his conservatory, watching the birds.
He now lives alone as his wife, Joan, died aged 91, five years ago.
The couple married when He was 24, and spent their life together in Burscough.
In his earlier years, fMr Hunter served in the Army during WWII and in the aftermath, from July 1940 until December 1945.
While serving with the 144th Regi- ment Royal Armoured Corps, where Mr Hunter was the driver of a Sherman tank, he was involved in a terrifying incident.
The tank came to blows with a German Tiger tank and the Sherman took a direct hit.
Mr Hunter said that he could not remember much of the incident and he was blown out of the tank.
His two fellow tank crew were killed.
He said: “The 144th Regiment were almost wiped out that day, and I was only of the few survivors.”
He retired from work for good at the age of 50.
Mr Hunter added: “I have had 50 years of work, and 50 years of leisure – it is not bad going really is it!”
Nowadays, Burscough’s newest centenarian attends Burscough Methodist church each Sunday and is a “great believer who is simply enjoying life”.