I just celebrated my 95th birthday with a big party, surrounded by friends and family — children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When you’re 35, a birthday comes and goes without too much fuss. But at 95, you realise just how lucky you are. You look back and understand how much there is to celebrate. I’ve had a full life, and I’ve been fortunate in many different ways.

I was born in Sheffield in 1930 and was just nine when the war broke out. Like many children at the time, I was evacuated, and my education suffered as a result. Schooling was inconsistent, and I didn’t have the best academic foundation. But I developed an interest in radio and electronics, and after the war, that passion led me to become a radio officer in the Merchant Navy. I was responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing the ship’s radio equipment, as well as communicating with other ships and shore stations. It took me around the world — India, Sudan, America, and Europe. Later, I joined the Royal Signals and became an acting sergeant.

When I left the army in 1951, like many ex-servicemen, I found myself unemployed. Eventually, I landed a job in a furniture shop, running exhibitions in the mining villages around Sheffield. It turned out I had a knack for talking to people, and selling came naturally to me.

From market stalls in Doncaster and Chesterfield, where I sold linens and drapery, I built up a business that eventually became Rosebys — a national chain of 100 shops, stretching from Scotland to the south coast. I retired from the business at 64, and over the last 30 years, life has been an adventure.

One of my lifelong passions has been cycling. It started during the war, when new bikes were hard to come by. I’d hunt down old ones, fix them up, and ride for miles into Derbyshire. I joined a cycling club and got into time trialling. I loved the freedom of being outdoors, in the countryside.

When I retired, I discovered an organisation called Norwood that ran charity cycling events. The first one was a two-week ride through the Middle East, and I absolutely loved it. I saw incredible sights and met some fantastic people, many of whom I’m still in touch with today. Over 15 years, I cycled across Spain, North and South America, Africa, and Kerala. Majorca, where I used to cycle across every year, I can still picture the little roads, hear the goats, and smell the poppies. Those memories are etched in my mind. I kept cycling until I was 89, when I stopped to care for my wife when she became ill. I miss it a lot.

Something I never imagined doing was moving to London — but I did, at the age of 92, after my wife passed away. It was a big transition, but there was less for me in Sheffield, and I wanted to be closer to my family. When I arrived, I knew I needed purpose — I’ve never been one to sit still. So, after a Friday night family dinner suggestion, I got in touch with the Royal Free Hospital, just nearby, and they asked if I’d like to be a companion to elderly patients, which is right up my street as I enjoy a good conversation.

Every Tuesday and Friday, I take the lift to the tenth floor of the hospital to spend time talking to the elderly patients, making my way through eight rooms with four beds each. Often, I find them looking a little lost or dejected, staring into space. I make an introduction and break the ice. The conversations are lovely. People open up about their lives — one woman, for instance, used to be a famous stage dancer and worked with many of the stars of her time.

It’s not just the patients who benefit from these visits — it’s a two-way thing. I feel the benefit of being with somebody and doing some good. On my birthday, the doctors and nurses surprised me with a beautiful card, filled with personal messages about how much they valued me. That gesture meant the world to me.

Life continues to surprise me. Recently, I was nominated by the hospital for the Jewish Volunteering Network’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and short-listed for my contributions. I attended a ceremony in London and even featured in a few newspapers. In my 90s, it’s great to be still making a difference and experiencing new things.

With over three decades of retirement behind me, I’ve learned how important it is to stay mentally and physically active. Cycling, volunteering, and staying connected to the community have given me purpose. Plus, sharing these years with my late wife gave us both so much joy.

Today I’ve still got plenty to keep me busy—I’m never sitting down for long

Circle Square Q&A

What 3 words best describe you? Never Sitting Still.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be? Stop worrying.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Being short-listed for the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner? I don’t do one person invites; it’s four all together: Winston Churchill, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and my late wife. And I would be speechless!

How has age strengthened your advantage? I don’t believe that age is necessarily an advantage; rather, every age group has its own benefits.

What inspired you to join Circle Square? To meet people and enjoy the atmosphere of gatherings. Also, I have known Nick and his family from Sheffield for many years.