Resident still keeping his village tidy at age 91

A parish clerk says people should take inspiration from a 91-year-old resident who has been regularly cleaning up the community spaces in his village.

John Rogers has swept around the garages and pathways throughout the 53 years that he has lived in Yarnfield, near Stone in Staffordshire.

His work continues to impress the parish clerk and his neighbour, John Fraser.

"It's fantastic," he said. "It's just a shame more people don't follow that lead."

Mr Fraser also praised Mr Rogers for supporting a lot of community projects, such as arranging poppies and soldier silhouette decorations for Remembrance services in the village.

In 2020, Mr Rogers constructed a wooden Christmas tree where people hung baubles in memory of those who had lost their lives during the pandemic.

Parish clerk John Fraser describes neighbour John Fraser as "a good egg"

Mr Rogers remained humble about his community-minded actions.

He simply said they were jobs that needed to be done.

"It just looks terrible, so I thought, 'Somebody's got to do it', and that's it," he smiled.

The former business owner is happy to keep himself busy between bowling, dominoes and other hobbies.

"I can't sit on my backside all day," he joked. "I like to do it and keep the place tidy if I can."

Tina Collins is another resident full of praise for Mr Rogers.

She has organised the coffee mornings at the village hall since lockdown.

Tina Collins describes her neighbour as an "amazing, lovely man"

"John is an amazing, lovely man," she said. "And he still wants to do loads of things."

She referred to his wife, Averil, who she said had to dissuade Mr Rogers from attempting to work at height.

"She has to say, 'No, you can't go on the ladders anymore."

Mrs Collins is keen for people to follow his example and become more engaged in community activities, such as the local lunch club, coffee morning and craft group.