World's oldest paperboy could be in County Durham
A spritely 88 year old is delivering in Spennymoor
There’s some BIG claims coming out of Spennymoor this week.
An 88 year old man from the town could be the oldest paperboy in the UK!
RAF veteran Robert Farns is delivering Spennymoor News, it’s his first ever paper round this week.
He actually turns 88 next month having been born in April 1934.
Back in 2020 there was a report about an 84 year old man, Alan Gillard, being the oldest paperboy – that would make him 86 now, but even so Robert is older thus we’re crowning him Britain’s Oldest Paperboy.
Spennymoor News say Robert attended Croxdale County School and left when he was 15.
After he left, he started working with his father Robert Hutchinson (called Bob) who was a painter and decorator.
In 1955 he was conscripted into the RAF at the age of 21.
He married Rita Knaggs from Spennymoor in November 1955.
When he was demobbed, he had various painting and decorating jobs until May 65 when he gained a job with Durham County Council also as a painter and decorator.
Eventually he became a chargehand, then area foreman and finally the county supervisor, working from County Hall in charge of all painting and decorating, where he stayed until he retired.
Robert is the oldest of eight; four boys and four girls. He has two children, a son Robert Graham, and a daughter Rosamond, five grand children and eight great grand children.
He lost his wife Rita in June 2019 after 64 years of marriage.
In earlier times Robert was a Youth Leader and ran the U18 football team at Spennymoor Youth Club.
He was presented with a tankard for over 35 continuous years of service in football from Durham Football Association.
He still likes walking with his brother David, gardening, and reading.
Every Friday he volunteers at a local foodbank and says donations are very welcome.