A 100-year-old Herefordshire man says he doesn’t know the secret to a long life, and that perhaps it is just in his genes.

Ernest Jameson celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday (February 13) surrounded by family and followed it up by spending Valentine’s Day with his wife of 73 years.

Mr Jameson was born in Yorkshire in 1922 and spent most of his life there before moving to Ledbury in 1987.

“It’s been lovely living in Ledbury; it’s a nice town,” he said.

“We joined a couple of walking clubs when we first moved down here and would walk the Malverns regularly.”

He had previously lived with wife Pamela in Ogden, near Halifax. Pamela is 97 and will be celebrating her 98th birthday in June.

Hereford Times: A cake for Ernest Jameson on his 100th birthdayA cake for Ernest Jameson on his 100th birthday

“We met at a dance in Nairsborough, near Harrogate, and got married in 1948,” said Mr Jameson. “We’ll have been married 74 years in March.”

During the Second World War, Mr Jameson worked at a Royal Ordnance Factory making Lee-Enfield rifles.

After the war, he worked in the engineering division at Rowntree Mackintosh in Halifax and outside of work, pursued his passion for crown green and flat green bowls.

'Quite an honour'

Mr Jameson’s dedication to bowls continued after moving to Herefordshire, where he discovered there were many local clubs and a competitive league.

“I was president of the Herefordshire County Bowling Association in 1995 and president of the Three Counties – Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire – in 95-96,” he said.

“I’ve had a card from Eastnor Bowling Club, which I joined after we first moved to Ledbury in 1987.

“It was a big thing to be president across the three counties, it was quite an honour.

“I was still bowling up until six years ago at an indoor centre in Malvern, but unfortunately my knees let me down and I have to walk with a stick now.”

Asked what the secret to long life is, Mr Jameson said: “I don’t think I know the answer to that.

“My mother lived until she was in her 90s and I know her father lived to be 100, so it must come from that side of the family.”