A GREATLY respected and much admired local resident, Tom Hogg has celebrated his 100th birthday.

The occasion was marked by several parties including one at Burley Probus Club, of which he is a long standing member and past president and a luncheon at Otley Golf Club on Sunday for 80 guests. The event was organised by Burley-in-Wharfedale Bowls Club, of which Tom is a founder member.

Burley Probus Club met in Salem School Hall last week where the large attendance of members and guests cheered as Tom cut his 100th birthday cake - and drank his health with sherry.

Tom was born in Otley in May 1918. He attended Otley National School until the age of 14. He moved to Burley in 1939, but almost immediately joined the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Leicester for the next six years. His ship operated in various theatres of war including Singapore, Burma, Ceylon and Egypt.

After the war he returned to Burley and resumed married life with Lucy, who ran Lucy Grays Ladies Outfitters in Ilkley.

Tom was employed for some 13 years in the Co-op in Burley, recalling that his wage in the late 1950s was exactly £9.11d. He attended night-school to learn book-keeping and his success in accounting found him managing the Hunslet branch of the Co-op. As gardening was one of his hobbies, Tom also worked as the gardener at Middleton Hospital, Ilkley. He was later employed as a driver for various Spooners’ bosses. Tom still regularly drives his own car.

Tom and his late wife, Lucy, were keen cyclist and particularly loved the Yorkshire Dales. Tom attributes his long life to having always taken plenty of exercise and also to having tried to eat sensibly. Woodwork was another of his keen hobbies, as was crown bowling. He still is a member - albeit a non-playing ones these days - of Burley Bowling Club, based in Grange Park, where he is a valued scorer at matches.

Having spent much of his life living in Burley-in-Wharfedale, Tom now lives in Ilkley.