When the president of Keighley Rotary Club paid a surprise visit to wish many happy returns to the club's oldest member, ninety-year-old Francis Lougee, he found he'd been pipped to the post.
Mr Lougee, of Exley Road, was already enjoying a slap-up meal and birthday cake with his wife, Betty, son, Martin, and grandchildren.
President David Petyt and Stephen Auker, one of the newest Rotarians, presented Mr Lougee with an emerald green and gold pillbox, embossed with the club's logo, in recognition of his services to the Keighley community.
Mr Lougee, a former TSB bank manager, joined the club in 1954. He was president from 1967 to 1968, and also did one stint as secretary and two as treasurer. Always active in rotary events, such as the annual party for the blind, he was made an honorary member in 1998.
Mr Auker said: "Although Mr Lougee can no longer attend meetings because of his health, he is still mentally very active in the club.
"He reads all our newsletters and keeps up to date with whatever comes up."
Picture shows
Keighley Rotary Club President David Petyt
and Mr Lougee
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