Sponsored by
Leeds man still working - and driving at 97
LIKE the clocks and watches he repairs, nonagenarian Jack Barstow is a man of many parts.
At 97, he is one of Britain's oldest drivers, oldest crown green bowlers and oldest snooker players.
He is also a brilliant draughtsman and provided drawings for a classic reference book on birds.
But this Oakwood grandfather has no intention of letting up and is a phenomenon to his GP.
"He sits back and says to me: 'Tell me, Jack, what's your secret?'" he said. "So I have him a list of 10 tips – like always trying to be cheerful."
Though his mind is still as sharp as a knife, he worries he might get Alzheimer's.
"I have told my doctor to give me a pill if I go ga-ga," he joked.
Jack, of Montagu Avenue, plays snooker regularly at the Parochial Hall on Fitzroy Drive, Oakwood; and he plays competitively for North Leeds Bowling Club on Old Park Road.
Four years ago he organised what he believes was the first bowls tournament in the world for the over-90s.
"I won it one year and I was one point off winning it this year," he said. "I was handicapped because I was on my own green.
"We have now got sponsorship from Age Concern to keep it going as long as we want."
Jack's skill as a watch and clock repairer has won him a reputation in, of all places, the Yorkshire Dales and he drives his 22-year-old Fiesta out on jobs.
"Farmers often have timepieces they don't want to part with," he explained, "but don't know how to repair.
"Because I once repaired a grandfather clock at Sessay, near Thirsk, people in the Dales have heard about me and call me up."
Jack learned his skills when he was conscripted during the Second World War.
Although he says he was a duffer at Burley Road Council School, he passed an Army intelligence test to do instrument repairs.
"They were looking for people who were above average," he said, "and I was put on training courses for over a year. On the last course, only two men were to be chosen and all the other men had higher ranks and better education than me.
"The officer in charge told me: 'I don't know why you are on this course but you will never pass'.
"That was like a red rag to a bull to me," Jack recalled, "and so I swotted every night for three months while the others were out enjoying themselves.
"After the final exam, the brigadier said he was pleased to announce I was the second pass and he apologised for what he had said about me."
Jack was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was soon sent out to the Middle East where he repaired tanks and equipment like gunsights.
"We were just a mile behind the front line during the Battle of El Alamein," he said, "and I had some near misses."
Jack was hoping to get a gold watch when he left Gilchrist Brothers printers on Clay Pit Lane but he was just three months short of 50 years' service.
"They told me if I stayed on another three months I would get one," he said. "I thought that was a bit mean. So I left and never did get the watch."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Leeds United: Celtic star set for Whites loan move?
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
