A retired policeman has solved one of the great mysteries – the secret to a long life.
Joe White, who was sergeant at Poynton police station for more than a decade, celebrated his 100th birthday last Thursday.
The centenarian claims his longevity is down to homegrown vegetables and regular walks.
Joe celebrated his landmark birthday with members of his large family which includes three children, six grand children and 11 great-grandchildren.
Joe arrived in Poynton in 1952 and took a hands on approach to keeping peace in the village alongside his six constables.
He said: “I would spend a lot of my day walking around the village or riding my bike, which was typical of the times.
“Our role was varied I spent a lot of time getting to know everyone and trying to help them wherever I could. This often meant doing things other than police work. I remember having to help fix a telephone and giving a young lad a lecture of keeping on the straight and now at the request of his concerned dad. We would handle things with diplomacy to defuse situations. If I caught children stealing sweets I would march them back and get them to apologise and pay for what they took.
“Policing is a much tougher job nowadays. Back in the day there was no late drinking, drugs or vandalism.”
A regular sight around the village was Joe and his loyal dog Peter, a spaniel puppy he had found on London Road.
They became constant companions pounding the beat.
Joe retired from the police in 1963 and then became manager of security at pharmaceutical firm Ciba Geigy until he retired in 1978. Joe and his wife Hilda spent their retirement looking after their allotment, travelling to Europe and enjoying their growing family. Hilda died in 2002 after 64 happy years of marriage.
Joe, of Wayside Drive, said: “I owe my long and happy life to having a wonderful job, a good family life and a lovely wife. But the key to a long life I would say if having a good diet full of homegrown vegetables and regular walks to keep you fit.”
Born in Exeter, Joe grew up in Dorset and spent his childhood scouting and singing in the church choir. After school he became a trainee gardener, developing a love of growing vegetables which never left him.
At 18 Joe joined the Coldstream Guards based at Chelsea Barracks in London and served at Buckingham Palace, taking part in the famous Trooping the Colour.
Joe joined Cheshire Police and moved north but had to put his career on hold to serve his country.
In 1939 he rejoined the Coldstream Guards and was promoted to Sergeant. He was involved in the second wave of D-Day Landings and took part in the liberation of Brussels.
