Burnham: Telegram for Leonard (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)
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Burnham: Telegram for Leonard
2:43pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News
Burnham is set to welcome its latest centurion.
Warwick Court resident Leonard Wingate will be turning 100 on March 3 and he says that the trick to having a long life is to drink wine.
“Wine is my secret. I like a glass of wine,” he said.
Mr Wingate, who moved to Burnham from London about 20 years ago, has had a varied career. He spent ten years in the Merchant Navy before then becoming a London taxi driver, a job he did for 35 years.
He said: “I had Prince Charles in my cab once. I used to ask people to pay double the fare if they sat in his seat.”
The pensioner, who has one son and ten grandchildren, remains fiercely independent. He still does all his own shopping and he only recently gave up his driving licence.
“I’m looking forward to getting my telegram from the Queen,” he said, adding, “We’ll probably have a nice tea to celebrate.”
