Happy 102nd Birthday! - School children make Bernhard's day with 102 cards.
A Chase Terrace man who has been a lifelong worshipper at a church close to where he lives celebrated the weekend of his 102nd birthday with friends, parishioners and other well wishers.
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Bernhard Mills was born in Chase Terrace in 1923 and has been a life long member of St Joseph's RC Church, Burntwood.
After attending Mass on Sunday, he was given a surprise party in the community centre and presented with 102 birthday cards, all made by the children of St Joseph and St Theresa's School in Chasetown.
In addition to these cards he has previously received them from Elizabeth II, King Charles III, The Pope and Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nicholls but said he was overwhelmed by the reception he received from people at the church, where he regularly worships both on Sunday and weekdays.
Known to be one of the eldest men to still be playing the pedal steel guitar, he has performed in countless West Midlands venues like the Tropican in Wolverhampton and in 1947 was a finalist in the Carroll Levis discoveries show, the top talent show of the time. He is also known for his contributions to radio phone-in programmes.
A spokesman for the church said: "This was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man who is so active still at 102 and has been a stalwart of the church and its community for his whole life."
