AN EAST Durham community’s oldest resident reached another milestone when he celebrated his 102nd birthday.
Former miner William Parks was surrounded by family and friends to mark the occasion at the Abbey Vale Care Home, in Blackhall, where he moved earlier last week from his long-time home at Bluebell Close.
Mr Parks who has two children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren was married to the late Jenny.
He retired 40 years ago from Blackhall Colliery where he was an overman, after spending 49 years at the mine where he started work as a 13-year-old boy.
Mr Parks is now an honorary member of the Raffle Club in Blackhall where, along with his wife, he used to be frequent visitors.
To celebrate Mr Parks’ birthday, the chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Mac Williams dropped in to see him today, taking a basket of fruit to mark the occasion.
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