PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand / Manawatu Standard / January 20, 2009
By Michelle Duff
The spritely Mr P H Leyland, of 249 College St, could well have been the keenest walker Palmerston North has yet known.
Fifty-eight years ago, the determined Phil Leyland, then 98, was captured by a Manawatu Times photographer leaving his house for the long trek to the polling booth.
But it wasn't just elections that got this him off the couch - shopping, family visits and Sunday excursions were conducted under his own steam until just before his death.
FAMILY TRADITION: Pete Leyland, 98 today, says his granddad's penchant for exercise has contributed towards his own long life.
Today, Mr Leyland's grandson, Pete Leyland, is to celebrate his own 98th birthday - and he reckons his long life comes straight from his energetic granddad.
"He was determined to keep active. It's a modern theory now, but in those days grandfathers just did it. The only way to get around was to walk on your two feet.
"I have had grandfather's example for the last 60 years."
Distance was no obstacle for Phil Leyland, who regularly trudged from his home in College St to Main St - an eight-kilometre round trip - for a cup of tea with his grandson.
"Grandfather used to walk up to pay us a visit of an afternoon and we would have a cup of tea, and he would sit down and go to sleep, and 10 minutes later he would wake up and set home. He was about the same age I am now - I wouldn't dream of going that far."
The Manawatu Times article, dated 1951 and entitled "City's 98-year-old voter walks to booth," says Mr Leyland had "steadfastly and firmly refused the offer of a lift," despite transport being available.
The younger Leyland shares both his late granddad's penchant for exercise and enthusiasm for the democratic process.
"Oh yes, we were always keen on our political privileges, we always made a point of casting a vote.
"He lived for another six years after this - when he finished up he was 104."
Today, Mr Leyland was expecting "all sorts of family, coming and going all day", but isn't sure if he likes being in the limelight.
"Oh, it's a lot of fuss. I'm not used to being a celebrity."
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007
January 20, 2009
NEW ZEALAND: Longevity was granddad's gift
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PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand / Manawatu Standard / January 20, 2009
By Michelle Duff
The spritely Mr P H Leyland, of 249 College St, could well have been the keenest walker Palmerston North has yet known.
Fifty-eight years ago, the determined Phil Leyland, then 98, was captured by a Manawatu Times photographer leaving his house for the long trek to the polling booth.
But it wasn't just elections that got this him off the couch - shopping, family visits and Sunday excursions were conducted under his own steam until just before his death.
FAMILY TRADITION: Pete Leyland, 98 today, says his granddad's penchant for exercise has contributed towards his own long life.
Today, Mr Leyland's grandson, Pete Leyland, is to celebrate his own 98th birthday - and he reckons his long life comes straight from his energetic granddad.
"He was determined to keep active. It's a modern theory now, but in those days grandfathers just did it. The only way to get around was to walk on your two feet.
"I have had grandfather's example for the last 60 years."
Distance was no obstacle for Phil Leyland, who regularly trudged from his home in College St to Main St - an eight-kilometre round trip - for a cup of tea with his grandson.
"Grandfather used to walk up to pay us a visit of an afternoon and we would have a cup of tea, and he would sit down and go to sleep, and 10 minutes later he would wake up and set home. He was about the same age I am now - I wouldn't dream of going that far."
The Manawatu Times article, dated 1951 and entitled "City's 98-year-old voter walks to booth," says Mr Leyland had "steadfastly and firmly refused the offer of a lift," despite transport being available.
The younger Leyland shares both his late granddad's penchant for exercise and enthusiasm for the democratic process.
"Oh yes, we were always keen on our political privileges, we always made a point of casting a vote.
"He lived for another six years after this - when he finished up he was 104."
Today, Mr Leyland was expecting "all sorts of family, coming and going all day", but isn't sure if he likes being in the limelight.
"Oh, it's a lot of fuss. I'm not used to being a celebrity."
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007
PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand / Manawatu Standard / January 20, 2009
By Michelle Duff
The spritely Mr P H Leyland, of 249 College St, could well have been the keenest walker Palmerston North has yet known.
Fifty-eight years ago, the determined Phil Leyland, then 98, was captured by a Manawatu Times photographer leaving his house for the long trek to the polling booth.
But it wasn't just elections that got this him off the couch - shopping, family visits and Sunday excursions were conducted under his own steam until just before his death.
FAMILY TRADITION: Pete Leyland, 98 today, says his granddad's penchant for exercise has contributed towards his own long life.
Today, Mr Leyland's grandson, Pete Leyland, is to celebrate his own 98th birthday - and he reckons his long life comes straight from his energetic granddad.
"He was determined to keep active. It's a modern theory now, but in those days grandfathers just did it. The only way to get around was to walk on your two feet.
"I have had grandfather's example for the last 60 years."
Distance was no obstacle for Phil Leyland, who regularly trudged from his home in College St to Main St - an eight-kilometre round trip - for a cup of tea with his grandson.
"Grandfather used to walk up to pay us a visit of an afternoon and we would have a cup of tea, and he would sit down and go to sleep, and 10 minutes later he would wake up and set home. He was about the same age I am now - I wouldn't dream of going that far."
The Manawatu Times article, dated 1951 and entitled "City's 98-year-old voter walks to booth," says Mr Leyland had "steadfastly and firmly refused the offer of a lift," despite transport being available.
The younger Leyland shares both his late granddad's penchant for exercise and enthusiasm for the democratic process.
"Oh yes, we were always keen on our political privileges, we always made a point of casting a vote.
"He lived for another six years after this - when he finished up he was 104."
Today, Mr Leyland was expecting "all sorts of family, coming and going all day", but isn't sure if he likes being in the limelight.
"Oh, it's a lot of fuss. I'm not used to being a celebrity."
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007
