100 year old celebrates in style

Apr 8 2008 By Jasbir Authi

HE may be 100 years old but nothing can stop Newtown man Auskin Fergus celebrating his birthday with a double bash.

Guests, including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Coun Randal Brew, raised their glasses and wished Mr Fergus well at a party at the Annie Wood Home.

The father-of-nine, who was born on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean in 1908, first came to work in the factories of Nechells in 1954.

He returned to his home country to work as a farmer in 1958 and remained there until a volcano erupted and the island inhabitants were forced to flee.

Mr Fergus, who was married to Mary until she died aged 90 in 2003, returned to the UK in 1997, and has been living in various homes in Aston and Newtown ever since.

One of his sons, retired bus driver and father-of-three Joseph Fergus, aged 72, said his dad, who has 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren, was sad to leave the stunning Island so late in his life but has settled well into the home on Alma Way.

Joseph said: "My father doesn't smoke, drink and is a strong Pentecostal believer.

"He believes that Jesus keeps him alive and safe. He continues to eat the right foods because he was a farmer and grew his own crops.

"He is happy in his home, has lots of friends and the carers are very good."

One of his sons, Beresford Fergus aged 53, had flown in from the US, and his daughter Rosanna, aged 67, had travelled from the Virgin Islands, especially to help their father celebrate his landmark birthday.

Mr Fergus was also guest of honour at an evening party given by his family.