Arthur Celebrates 90th
20th August 2011
Arthur Cornwall reached a personal milestone, enjoying his 90th Birthday yesterday. Friends and colleagues from the Allotment Association got together and helped Arthur celebrate at the trading hut this morning.
Tony Holbrook presented brief details of Arthur's background, including his astonishing association with the Melbourne Park Allotment site. Tony commented 'We are fortunate that Arthur has such a long association here. He was enlisted with the Essex Regiment throughout the war, and served in the Middle East, The Italian campaigns, together with active service in Belgium and Germany some of the fiercest combat areas. When he demobbed in 1945 he married the love of his life Ada, and approached the council for an allotment plot on the newly opened Melbourne Park Allotments. He kept this and other plots until recently, but is still to be seen together with Ada, looking after the trading hut every Saturday and Sunday, and now tends the colourful 'garden' area in front of the facility which was previously overgrown.
Joyce Lawrence came out of retirement to produce and decorate a 90th Birthday cake, and various refreshments were provided. A great turn out from plot holders listened to Arthur suggest that his neighbour constantly asks him his age (3 times in the last week) and believes he has his eyes on his pride and joy stainless steel spade. 'I'll need to watch him', he commented before thanking everyone.
A chorus of happy birthday rang out after gifts were presented to both Arthur and Ada (who celebrates her own birthday next month).
Thank you most sincerely to all those that assisted and made the morning possible.
In addition to celebrating Arthur's birthday, the awards for the recent allotment competition were awarded, appropriately presented by Arthur and Ada. Arthur congratulated Carolyn on the award of best newcomer, and Ada equally presented Stuart with the best plot award, for which he has successfully won on more than this occassion.
Tony Holbrook presented brief details of Arthur's background, including his astonishing association with the Melbourne Park Allotment site. Tony commented 'We are fortunate that Arthur has such a long association here. He was enlisted with the Essex Regiment throughout the war, and served in the Middle East, The Italian campaigns, together with active service in Belgium and Germany some of the fiercest combat areas. When he demobbed in 1945 he married the love of his life Ada, and approached the council for an allotment plot on the newly opened Melbourne Park Allotments. He kept this and other plots until recently, but is still to be seen together with Ada, looking after the trading hut every Saturday and Sunday, and now tends the colourful 'garden' area in front of the facility which was previously overgrown.
Joyce Lawrence came out of retirement to produce and decorate a 90th Birthday cake, and various refreshments were provided. A great turn out from plot holders listened to Arthur suggest that his neighbour constantly asks him his age (3 times in the last week) and believes he has his eyes on his pride and joy stainless steel spade. 'I'll need to watch him', he commented before thanking everyone.
A chorus of happy birthday rang out after gifts were presented to both Arthur and Ada (who celebrates her own birthday next month).
Thank you most sincerely to all those that assisted and made the morning possible.
In addition to celebrating Arthur's birthday, the awards for the recent allotment competition were awarded, appropriately presented by Arthur and Ada. Arthur congratulated Carolyn on the award of best newcomer, and Ada equally presented Stuart with the best plot award, for which he has successfully won on more than this occassion.