George Edgoose toasts turning 100 - with help from a miniature pony called Wish

A lifetime spent working the land has seen George Edgoose reach the ripe old age of 100.

And yesterday the retired market gardener was joined by his family, friends and staff - as well as a small pony - at Stockton Lodge Nursing Home to celebrate his milestone birthday.

George was born in 1915 in Sunderland where his father, John, was a shipbuilder during the First World War.

In the early 1920’s the family moved to Easington and started making a life for themselves on Paradise Farm - building a bungalow, stables and greenhouses all from wood.

George carried out all the land work, honing his skills in farming and growing, ploughing the land with horses.

George and his family started a retail trade in fruit and vegetables around Easington Village and Easington Colliery.

George’s son and only child, John, said: “They had a hard time through the Depression. My dad got his own round with a horse and cart.”

When the Second World War came George was exempt from service as a food producer.

But it was during the war that he met his future wife Greta, an auxiliary nurse, at a market day.

George Edgoose with wife Greta

“They were both church goers - dad was in the church choir - and it just clicked,” said John.

The couple married in 1942, and 12 years later moved to Easington and then a farm outside Sedgefield, where until a just a few months recently George still lived.

John said the 55 acre farm is still owned by the family. “It got to the stage where my father was overworked. When he retired he was still helping me on the farm. He then went back to growing flowers and vegetables - supplying more than we could eat! He was growing well into his 90s.”

George, who was lost his wife around 15 years ago, has two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He told the Gazette: “It’s wonderful to get to this age. I’ve had a busy life.”

The miniature pony, called Wish, is a regular visitor to Stockton Lodge, on Harrogate Lane, as a respite pony, explained activities coordinator Irene Morris.

And despite trying to scoff a piece of George’s 100th birthday cake, the Centenarian was very welcoming to his little furry friend.