100TH IS SEALED WITH A KISS
There were double celebrations for a Stewartfield man when he reached a rather special landmark.
George Pollard, from Stewartfield, was joined by Deputy Lieutenant John McKenzie and Provost Ei l een Logan for family celebrations for his 100th birthday.
And then his local Morrisons, where he has been a loyal customer for many years, decided they would throw him a birthday bash too.
George was born in Greenock, on December, 17, 1914.
He attended Ladyburn School until he was 14, after which he started work in Kincaid’s Shipyard an d re ma in e d th er e fo r t wo years.
At 16 he became an apprentice engineer at the Torpedo Factory i n Greenock a nd s t aye d wi t h the company when it moved to Alexandria until he retired.
During the war, George served with the Highland Light Infantry in Palestine.
After his wife, Peggy, died in 1998, George was persuaded to move in 1999 from Balloch to East Kilbride so he would be close to his daughter and son-in-law, Ida and Ken.
He also has a son in Port Ellen, Islay.
George has four grandchildren, together with a grandchild who sadly died a few years ago, and 13 great grandchildren.
The 100-year-old is an active member of East Mains Baptist Church.
Always an active bowler, he is, since last year, a social member of East Kilbride Bowling Club and a frequent spectator.
George gave up c ycling and s wimming only about f our or five years ago. In spite of his age, George st i l l has a wal ke v e r y afternoon and walks around to Stuarton Park for his morning tea every day.
Morrisons’ community champion Jacqui Rodgers told the News: “George has been such a loyal customer since he moved to East Kilbride and he is such a lovely guy we though we would do something special to mark his 100th birthday.”