Glasgow man celebrates milestone birthday as he turns 100

James Wood, also known as Jim, was joined by family and friends on Saturday as he turned 100 years old.

The centenarian enjoyed a party – and lots of homemade cake - at Almond View Care Home, where he has been living for just over a month.

Jim on his 100th birthday (Saturday, May 18) (Image: Rosie)Jim explained that he grew up in Anniesland and went to Temple School as a boy.

He worked at Barr and Stroud, a pioneering Glasgow optical engineering firm, as well as the Royal Air Force where he helped maintain planes.

Jim working at Barr and Stroud (Image: Rosie)

RAF-themed cupcakes made by Jim's friends (Image: Rosie)The 100-year-old is a talented oil painter, with much of his artwork on display in his room at Almond View, and also enjoys calligraphy and photography.
One of Jim's incredible paintings (Image: Rosie)Whilst living in Anniesland Jim struck up a companionship – which would last decades – with his neighbour Mary.

Jim and Rosie at his birthday party with a card from King Charles (Image: Rosie)On Saturday he was joined by two of her granddaughters Rosie and Sarah.

Rosie said that Jim and Mary’s friendship came about after her father, as a young boy, accidentally put his football through Jim’s window shortly after they’d moved in.

She said: “Through the years, Jim was always there for Mary and when she sadly passed away Jim stayed part of the family.

“My gran lived two floors above, he’s like a step-grandfather but we just call him grandfather.

"It was at the flat in Anniesland where they met after my dad as a young lad put his football through Jim’s window when they first moved in.

“Jim and Mary struck up an instant friendship that blossomed into decades of companionship.”

Happy birthday Jim, from all at the Glasgow Times.