Southport’s John Alfred Tinniswood celebrated his 110th Birthday on the 26th of August, 2022 making him the oldest living man in Britain. According to current data, this places Tinniswood 9th in the list of the oldest people in Britain with the other 8 being women.
Born in 1912, Tinniswood has lived through 2 World Wars, The Holocaust, The Russian Revolution, and two global pandemics.
Speaking to BBC North West, Tinniswood said the key to his longevity was “moderation in everything and all things… moderation in exercising, writing, listening”.
A simple concept yet backed by many scientists as the key to success. Is this the way life expectancy is going to increase? Rather than drastic changes to everyday life, perhaps paying more attention to Tinniswood’s holy grail of “moderation in everything” is what we all need.
Having worked with the oil and gas company Shell, Tinniswood admits that he has been retired longer than his working life. However, he is keen to understand that he still sees his friends and has an active social life within his care home, even being visited by Mark Blundell, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, on his birthday.
The Queen sends congratulatory messages to those who celebrate their 100th and 105th birthday, and every year after that. The card comes in a special envelope with a personalized message of congratulations inside. Elizabeth II is the 4th monarch to reign in Tinniswood’s life.
Born in the same year the RMS Titanic sunk, Tinniswood has experienced a lot of change, predominantly within electronic and technological advancements. Martin Cooper’s hand-held phone invention came when Tinniswood was 72.
Tinniswood has a realistic and simple outlook on the process of getting older. “Just like the wind and rain: it happens.”
Lucile Randon: The Oldest Living Person in the World
The oldest living person in the world is Lucile Randon, who is 118 years and 200 days old as of the 30th of August 2022.
Since the death of Japanese Kane Tanaka on April 19th, 2022, Randon has been the oldest living person in the world.
Randon was a teacher and governess and worked with children in World War II. In 1944 she became a nun taking the name Sister Andre.
On the 16th of January 2021, she tested positive for COVID-19, yet against all odds fought the virus off, making her the oldest survivor of COVID-19. As well as this and her record for the oldest living person, Randon holds the record for the oldest living Nun.
NHS Live Well: What is the Advice for Living and Long and Healthy Life?
The NHS has compiled scientific research into a list of what we can do to improve our chances of living a healthy life.
Exercise
- The NHS states that exercise can “lower your risk of early death by 30%”.
- Adults should try to be active daily, aiming to do 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
- You need to be moving enough to raise your heart rate for an activity to benefit your health.
- “Research suggests that many adults spend more than 7 hours a day sitting down, at work, on transport or in their leisure time.”
- Over 65 is the most sedentary age group
Eat Well
- A balanced diet is the key
- At least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- High fiber meals are best
- Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day
- “Most people in the UK eat and drink too many calories, too much-saturated fat, sugar and salt, and not enough fruit, vegetables, oily fish, or fibre”
Alcohol and Smoking Habits
- Advice to not drink more than 14 units a week regularly
- “The effects of alcohol on your health depend on how much you drink. The less you drink, the lower the health risks.”
- After 10 to 20 years of regularly drinking more than 14 units a week, you have an increased risk of developing illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and brain damage.
In Japan, drinking among young people is encouraged, yet overall the thing to remember is moderation. As Tinniswood shows, “everything in moderation” is, so far, the most sustainable and effective way to live a long life.
