Jim Christou, who at a 100-years-old is Britain's
oldest bartender, said working at the bar helped
him keep fit. Photo: KENT NEWS
LONDON, England (Telegraph), August 29, 2008:
By Chris Irvine
Jim Christou started working for the Westwood Masonic Centre (WMC) in Welling, Kent, over 20 years ago after a long career as a waiter and still pulls pints twice a week.
The grandfather-of-two, better known as "Chris" by regulars, has even had a new bar there named in his honour.
He said: "I'll keep going for as long as I can. I love chatting and serving the customers, the club is a second home to me.
"There's no secret to how I'm still working. I just do normal things, eat normal food and do the shopping."
Mr Christou, a former engineer in the Home Guard during World War Two, said working helped him keep fit.
He said: "It certainly helps you keep active, and that's just what I need at my age."
Club secretary Ken Richardson said: "It's absolutely incredibly that he still insists on doing work behind the bar.
"He loves serving members when they come in. We had a beer festival recently and he insisted on helping out at the door as well.
"Everyone who comes in loves him. He's a star behind the car."
Mr Christou officially retired in 1976 but got itchy feet and helped out at a Greenwich bingo hall for 12 years, before working for WMC.
He has not touched a drink or smoked in nearly 30 years, adding: "I just stopped drinking one day because I didn't want to do it any more. But I won't stop anyone else, I'd be in the wrong job if I did."
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2008
August 30, 2008
U.K.: Britain's oldest bartender still working aged 100
.
Britain's oldest bartender is still going strong
aged 100, and does not intend to call last orders
on his career any time soon.
Jim Christou, who at a 100-years-old is Britain's
oldest bartender, said working at the bar helped
him keep fit. Photo: KENT NEWS
LONDON, England (Telegraph), August 29, 2008:
By Chris Irvine
Jim Christou started working for the Westwood Masonic Centre (WMC) in Welling, Kent, over 20 years ago after a long career as a waiter and still pulls pints twice a week.
The grandfather-of-two, better known as "Chris" by regulars, has even had a new bar there named in his honour.
He said: "I'll keep going for as long as I can. I love chatting and serving the customers, the club is a second home to me.
"There's no secret to how I'm still working. I just do normal things, eat normal food and do the shopping."
Mr Christou, a former engineer in the Home Guard during World War Two, said working helped him keep fit.
He said: "It certainly helps you keep active, and that's just what I need at my age."
Club secretary Ken Richardson said: "It's absolutely incredibly that he still insists on doing work behind the bar.
"He loves serving members when they come in. We had a beer festival recently and he insisted on helping out at the door as well.
"Everyone who comes in loves him. He's a star behind the car."
Mr Christou officially retired in 1976 but got itchy feet and helped out at a Greenwich bingo hall for 12 years, before working for WMC.
He has not touched a drink or smoked in nearly 30 years, adding: "I just stopped drinking one day because I didn't want to do it any more. But I won't stop anyone else, I'd be in the wrong job if I did."
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2008
Jim Christou, who at a 100-years-old is Britain's
oldest bartender, said working at the bar helped
him keep fit. Photo: KENT NEWS
LONDON, England (Telegraph), August 29, 2008:
By Chris Irvine
Jim Christou started working for the Westwood Masonic Centre (WMC) in Welling, Kent, over 20 years ago after a long career as a waiter and still pulls pints twice a week.
The grandfather-of-two, better known as "Chris" by regulars, has even had a new bar there named in his honour.
He said: "I'll keep going for as long as I can. I love chatting and serving the customers, the club is a second home to me.
"There's no secret to how I'm still working. I just do normal things, eat normal food and do the shopping."
Mr Christou, a former engineer in the Home Guard during World War Two, said working helped him keep fit.
He said: "It certainly helps you keep active, and that's just what I need at my age."
Club secretary Ken Richardson said: "It's absolutely incredibly that he still insists on doing work behind the bar.
"He loves serving members when they come in. We had a beer festival recently and he insisted on helping out at the door as well.
"Everyone who comes in loves him. He's a star behind the car."
Mr Christou officially retired in 1976 but got itchy feet and helped out at a Greenwich bingo hall for 12 years, before working for WMC.
He has not touched a drink or smoked in nearly 30 years, adding: "I just stopped drinking one day because I didn't want to do it any more. But I won't stop anyone else, I'd be in the wrong job if I did."
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2008
