Dennis in his chime aged 100
THE world’s oldest bellringer is still ringing as he celebrates his 100th birthday.
Dennis Brock, who survived being a prisoner of war and the Allied bombing of Dresden, has been on the bells at St Mary’s Church in Sunbury, Surrey, for more than 88 years.
He said he has rung more than 1,100 sets of bells in his lifetime and taught his daughter and grand-daughters how to do it.
Dennis added: “When I was 11 I became a bell-ringer and I’ve been ringing them ever since, apart from my war service.
“I’ve spent pretty much my whole life in this church doing things.
“I was a choirboy, a server, a bell-ringer.
“I got married here, I’ve done all sorts of committee work in the church, repair work in the bell tower.
“I’ve been retired as long as I worked.
“The paymaster general will be glad to see the back of me.
“When I wake up in the morning I always say: ‘Well, I’ve got through that lot. Time for another day’.
“That’s my policy.”