Freedom of Whittlesey for banana-a-day centenarian

5 hours ago

John Devinein Whittlesey

News image — Wally Newman, who turned 100 on Christmas Eve, put his long life down to a daily banana

John Devine/BBC Wally Newman is 100 years old and has short grey hair swept back, he is holding a bunch of bananas on the right, he is wearing a dark/purple woollen jumper with a purlpe shirt and blue t-shirt below, behind him is a living room magnolia wall, with part of a lampshade, tv and clock visible. — Wally Newman, who turned 100 on Christmas Eve, put his long life down to a daily banana

A centenarian who puts his longevity down to a daily breakfast banana is to be honoured in his hometown for a life of "remarkable service and commitment".

Wally Newman will receive the Freedom of Whittlesey, the Cambridgeshire town where he has lived since 1990.

He served with the Royal Navy during World War Two and has worked with his local Royal British Legion for 27 years, giving talks to schools and community groups.

Whittlesey Town Council said the honour recognised Newman's dedication to the community and his enduring contribution to civic life.

The 100-year-old said the honour was a "surprise" and definitely the "icing on the cake".

Wally Newman Wally Newman aged around 17 in Naval uniform, behind him is a grey war ship, MHS Moon, the picture has been colourised. Newman has brown hair swept back over his head and a blue Navel cap on. — Wally Newman pictured in the early 1940s when he served on HMS Moon, a Royal Navy minesweeper that operated in the Mediterranean and the Far East

Newman said he became known for his reliance on the breakfast fruit at a holiday camp last year, where he discovered he was the oldest guest.

When asked the secret to his long life by an entertainment compere, he revealed his love of bananas.

He said that for the rest of the week, holidaymakers would come up to him and say: "I've had my banana today."

Wally Newman Black-and-white photo of two sailors in the Royal Navy. They are wearing uniforms. The man on the left is wearing a hat which reads 'HMS'. — Wally Newman (right) joined the Royal Navy at 16 taking up training in Bristol

Newman was born in Woodgreen in London in 1925. He left school at 13 and started work as a trades boy.

He joined the Royal Navy as a trainee when he was 16, before taking to the Mediterranean and Far East seas aboard the minesweeper HMS Moon in 1943.

"When you left the docks you knew it was a hazardous job and it could be the last time you set out," he said.

He explained that his mother was in tears when took up the naval role, as two of his older brothers had both died in action during World War Two.

Wally Newman Wally Newman in full Tartan regalia, holding a drum beater, he has a tartan cap and red tunic with gold braiding. — Newman started drumming in about 1947 and played for many years in the Peterborough Highland pipe band

After the war, Newman married and moved to Harlow, before relocating to Whittlesey near Peterborough in 1990.

Town councillor Barry Wainwright says the centenarian had lived a life of "remarkable service and commitment", and was "deeply involved in the life of the town".

"He is a stalwart member of the Whittlesey branch of the Royal British Legion, serving as secretary for 23 years and taking on the prestigious position of County Chairman of the Royal British Legion for Cambridgeshire for four years."

He continues to give talks to local schools and community organisations, and remains a "proud and faithful ambassador for Whittlesey", he added.

John Devine/BBC Barry Wainwright has very short grey hair on top of his head, he has a short, neatly trimmed grey moustache and beard and black framed glasses.
He is wearing a brownish woollen top with the collar up. Behind him is a magnolia living room wall, with parts of picture frames visible. — Whittesey town councillor Barry Wainwright said Wally Newman still attended all the town's events

The Freedom of Whittlesey is an honorary role, according to the town council.

It recognises a lifetime of achievement and dedication to the people of the town and has only ever been bestowed on one other person before - the former mayor of Whittlesey, Kay Mayor.

The ceremony will take place at the Council Chambers in Whittlesey, on 31 January.