‘A 99 for a 100-year-old’: Peterborough man gets 100th birthday surprise as neighbours organise ice cream van treat
Keith Thompson celebrated his birthday in style
A Peterborough man had a 100th birthday to remember after kind neighbours lined the street to mark his big day - and even organised for an ice cream van to make an appearance.
Keith Thompson, who has lived in the same house in Latham Avenue, Orton Longueville, for more than 60 years, celebrated his 100th birthday on October 31.
To help him celebrate the milestone, Keith’s neighbours rallied around to organise a surprise visit from an ice cream van as they lined the street.
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Keith’s son, Richard, told the Peterborough Telegraph: “My dad was absolutely delighted with how the whole birthday weekend went.
“On the Saturday, his actual birthday, he had friends and family come over and we had the traditional buffet and drinks.
“Then on the Sunday he knew something was happening but we didn’t tell him exactly what.”
One of Keith’s neighbours went to the trouble of printing off and posting invitations through letterboxes ahead of the secret gathering on Sunday, November 1.
On the day of the surprise, Keith celebrated in style by tucking into a 99 ice cream to mark his 100th birthday, courtesy of Gino Rosetta, the owner of Gino’s Ices.
Photographer David Lowndes was on hand to capture the milestone birthday celebrations.
Born in Peterborough in 1926, Keith attended Deacon’s School as a boy before working on dairy farms after attending agricultural college.
A 30-year stint at British Sugar was followed by roles as an international consultant and director of a seed company where he also spent three decades working.
Most recently, Keith owned a translation business and received his final paycheck in his early 90s.
Described as “the perfect family man” by son Richard, Keith remains active and regularly completes the half-mile round trip to his local shop.
“I was just delighted that so many people came. I loved seeing my dad so happy.” Richard added.
As for ice cream, Richard says that his dad “always has a tub in the freezer” and is known to treat himself to the odd scoop here and there throughout the year.