A RECENT easing of social distancing measures has allowed a Tamworth icon to celebrate his 104th birthday in style.
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Nevell Macdonald was surrounded by family and friends at a birthday lunch in his honour on Wednesday.
A long-time friend of Mr Macdonald's Cec Wales said he was thrilled to help his "great mate" celebrate the occasion.
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"Nev is a really popular bloke and before the pandemic started, he would come up to the club every week for a drink and to catch up with everyone," Mr Wales said.
"It's really special to be able to come together like this and catch up with him.
"He's a great old mate, that's for sure."
As for the milestone man himself, Mr Macdonald said it wasn't difficult to get to 104 because "it's all in the genes".
"My father died at 93 and my sister got to 100 as well," Mr Macdonald said.
"When I was seven years old I nearly died of croup, but here I am."
Mr Macdonald said he had many great memories of living in the Tamworth region.
"I was a ringbarker out at Goonoo Goonoo station before my dad said I had better come back and help with the dairy," he said.
"All told, I ended up working on four different farms in my time."
As for the secret to a long life, the man affectionately known as Nev said a glass of whiskey never went astray.
"It's certainly great stuff," he said.
