Pipes play for Jimmy as he celebrates his century

BAGPIPES celebrated the 100th birthday of well-known Ringwood resident Jimmy Gordon who has played a key role in the local community for decades.

Jimmy came to the area from his native Scotland when he joined the Army in 1942 and made the town his home after meeting future wife Elsie.

They had two sons, Paul and Neil, with Jimmy first working in his father-in-law’s building firm before opening a paint, wallpaper and art materials shop in Ringwood.

He was a prime mover in the town’s first Ringwood Carnival in 1955 and its president for four years.

He was a member of New Milton Round Table and then in 1959 helped create Ringwood and District Round Table of which he was the first chairman.

The Ex-Tablers’ Club in Ringwood was founded in 1964 and Jimmy was its first vice-chairman and then chairman. It thrives today and he was made an honorary life member in 2009. He has also been an active member of Ringwood Rotary Club.

Additionally, he has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK and similar charities.

Elsie died four years ago and at the beginning of 2020 Jimmy moved into Oak Mount Care Home.

On his special day a small number of Round Tablers, led by John Adams on the bagpipes, presented him with favourite treats of a bottle of single malt whisky and chocolates.

Jimmy was excited to receive a card from the Queen whom he has met on two occasions in recognition of his charity fundraising.

He said the secret to his long life was keeping busy, staying trim and enjoying the occasional tipple.

Oak Mount director Dominic Foot described him as “lovely, fun and so caring”.