The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
It was all the boys together when five generations of a South Holland family celebrated a landmark birthday.
Arthur Rudd marked his centenary with a celebration in Holbeach and was joined by family and friends from far and wide.
His son Terry (76), grandson Mark (51), great grandson Ashley (24) and great-great grandson baby Eli all joined the fun.
“My father has seen so many changes, especially to his lifestyle.
“When he was a boy he had to earn pennies before school so went to the well in Whaplode and took buckets of water to the houses. Now we moan if there’s no internet!” said Terry.
Arthur is the youngest of ten siblings who were raised in Whaplode. The boys of the family worked together installing land drains across the county.
He eventually took on a county farm tenancy with his wife Barbara, who died 12 years ago, and the couple had three children, Terry, Phillip and Christine.
“I think he hoped one of us boys would go into farming but we saw the hard life Mum and Dad lived and thought there had to be an easier way,” said Mr Rudd, who is married to Anne and formerly owned Terry Rudd Motorcycles.
His dad requested no presents but more than £600 was raised for the air ambulance at his party.
