Dear Sir,
May I express my very sincere thanks to all those wonderful people who organised and attended the celebration of my 101st birthday party last week.
Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined such a demonstration of thanks and appreciation for simply cycling up and down a railway path in Newton Aycliffe. But it wasn’t until I got home and read the 198 birthday cards and opened the numerous birthday presents which people had sent me that the impact of the sincerity and affection of my fellow residents really hit me.
I wish I could thank you all individually and in person. Instead I offer this totally inadequate, but absolutely sincere, reply to your demonstration of affection and generosity.
May you all be as lucky in your own later years.
William Cooksey