LET’S see what Percy has achieved in his 96 years.

Born at 12a Parliament Street by the Knoll, one of a family of five children, started school at Parliament Street, now the register office.

Then later moved to Brick Row school with Mr Doxsey and Mr Dean.

Left school at 14 and father said well B….. hang around get a job of work, so I walked to Daniels and started an engineering apprenticeship at eight shillings a week with a one shilling a year rise ‘til you were 21 years.

Then the war started in those years and I was moved around the district and did fire watching at The Gaumont Picture House.

Later I was called up to serve aboard a ship as a fleet air arm air force mechanic called HMS Deesound and went out to join the British Pacific fleet for two and a quarter years.

Came home and later got married to my late wife Ruby Sands and we rented a little cottage known as 69 The Bank, Summer Street, five shillings a week.

Had one son called Graham.

Then we moved to a brand new three bedroom house in Summer Close, cost £1,800.

Those houses now close on £180,000.

Later bought a piece of ground and set about building a detached two bedroom bungalow.

Pick and shovel – did it all.

Now the wife is gone and I am still living in that same bungalow after almost 60 years and still getting out shopping in my little Morris Minor called the Blue Bird.

Cheerio

Percy Brownjohn

Stroud