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RAF vet, 100, puts longevity down to daily cycling

John Devine
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Reporting fromSt Ives
John Devine/BBC Geoffrey Bolton, 100, on a exercise bike with coloured balloons tied to the handle bars, he is wearing a white fedora hat, black shorts, red top, and glasses. Behind him is a window and pictures on the walls.John Devine/BBC
Geoffrey Bolton celebrated turning 100 with his daily routine of a 10-mile indoor cycle ride

A retired Royal Air Force flight sergeant who has just turned 100 years old puts his longevity down to one thing - cycling.

Geoffrey Bolton, who was born on 21 May 1925, still cycles on an indoor exercise bike and clocks up 10 miles (16km) a day at his home in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Mr Bolton joined the RAF when he was 16 and went on to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts in helping develop the Harrier jump jet as part of the technical team.

He says he does not like any fuss and feels "no different at 100... it's just a number".

He celebrated his big day with his family around him as he received a card from King Charles III, and, of course, did his 10-mile bike hike.

Bolton Family Black and white photo of Geoffrey Bolton aged 16. H has dark hair and an RAF overcoat on with high collar, he has a shirt and tie underneath.Bolton Family
Geoffrey Bolton was born in Kent and became an apprentice in the RAF in 1941

During World War Two, Mr Bolton says he served mostly in the UK, keeping aircraft up to scratch for aerial missions to Europe.

As his career progressed he became an electronic fitter for navigational instruments and was part of the technical team working on the Harrier jump jet.

Mr Bolton is modest about getting his BEM in 1972.

"I wasn't a special person, I was just doing my job along with all the others and was lucky enough to get a medal which was presented to me by the British ambassador in Bonn," he said.

Bolton Family A black and white photo of a man in a suit pinning a medal on the chest of Geoffrey Bolton in 1972. Flt Lt Bolton has three stripes on his shoulder and there are further RAF personal sitting and a woman wearing a hat behind him in a room with a painting on the wall.Bolton Family
Geoffrey Bolton receiving his British Empire Medal which was awarded for his role in the development of the Harrier jump jet

Mr Bolton met his bride-to-be when he was posted to Sylt - a German island close to the border with Denmark.

He married RAF Cpl Joyce Tayler in 1947 and enjoyed 72 years of marriage which produced three children.

His daughter Jill Bolton, 63, lives with her father and cares for him. She says he is "a very special man".

John Devine/BBC Jill Bolton, 63, has sandy shoulder length hair and has glasses with dark frames. A magnolia coloured wall is behind her.John Devine/BBC
Jill Bolton, 63, says her dad was still regularly going on outdoor bike rides with her into his 90s and is "just a great friend"

Jill adds that her dad was an old romantic when her mum was alive.

"He would cycle out on their anniversary day about 14 miles to a florist shop in St Neots where my dad would buy a single white rose that the owner would fix to his his handlebars and he would duly ride back to present it to my mum," she says.

"It was a tradition that went on for many, many years."

Mr Bolton says he still completes crosswords and other puzzles each day and reckons it is his many interests and active exercise regime that has contributed to his long life.

"I have always led a very healthy, moderate life and my daughter Jill, who looks after me beautifully, makes sure I eat my fruit and veg," he said.

Bolton Family Black and white picture of a couple with a white background the lady on the left has dark black hair and a light coloured top on the man on the right also has dark hair swept across his head and an open topped light shirt.Bolton Family
Joyce and Geoffrey Bolton pictured in Malta in 1948, one year after their marriage

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