Britain’s oldest man called on ancient Greek and Roman philosophers to reveal the secret to longevity as he celebrates his 110th birthday.th birthday.
Like the poet Hesiod, the Roman playwright Plautus, as well as Socrates and Aristotle, Liverpool fish and chips fanatic John Alfred Tinniswood is convinced that “moderation in everything and everything” is the secret to longevity.
The Southport resident added on Saturday, having received his tenth telegram from the Queen, that he did not believe when he was told he had become the longest-lived man in the country.
He said from the Hollies rest home: “I don’t feel old, I keep up with my friends.”
When asked if there was an elixir of youth, he added: “One word: moderation.
“Moderation in everything and everything. Moderation in exercise, writing, listening.”
He added that it’s also vital to “broaden your vision,” saying, “Don’t settle for one thing all the time or you’ll end up on a narrow path.
“So many people today are like sheep, many people go through life without thinking about themselves.”
Hesiod, who lived around 700 BC, is credited with being the first to coin the aphorism “everything in moderation”.
He said: “Keep your measure; moderation in everything is best,” and the Roman comic playwright Plautus called: “Moderation in everything is the best policy.”
John also attributes his longevity to relaxation, warning on his birthday last year, “You must never go beyond what you normally do or you will hurt yourself physically or mentally. So stay within your limits!”
He added that the expectation of a weekly fish and chips helps him feel young, but said it would be “impertinent” of him to tell others how to lead their lives.
Nursing home manager Cathy Howard said he was “an amazing person with so many stories” and “a real gentleman” when he toasted his 110 years.th with another Hollies veteran, Mary Hanson, 98.
Mrs. Howard added that when John was not downstairs among the other residents, he “reads the newspaper with pleasure and listens to the radio, adding: ‘He is a real gentleman.’
John added that his fondest memories are of his marriage and the birth of his daughter Susan, and was visited at The Hollies nursing home by Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, who delivered his latest birthday card from the Queen.
Previously a warehouse clerk and accountant for Shell-Mex and BP, he is the father of one, grandfather of four, and great-grandfather.
John married his wife Blodwen in 1942 and a year later they had their only child, Susan, after which they lived together for 44 years until Blodwen died in 1986.
He was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, the year the Titanic sank. He survived two world wars, saw the moon landing, and was already 50 years old when the Beatles had their first hit.
He also witnessed the Spanish flu and got a double whammy against Covid.
Eye problems led to John being given an administrative post at the Royal Mail during World War II.
The oldest known living woman on Earth is Lucille Randon of France, 118 years old, and the oldest man on the planet is Juan Vicente Pérez Mora of Venezuela, 113 years old.
The 100 oldest women live, on average, several years longer than their 100 male counterparts.
Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected]
For more such stories, check our news page.