WELL-known local businessman Glynne Lowe did not let the Covid-19 lockdown get in the way of the celebrations last weekend as three of his smallest great-grandchildren dropped by to sing a socially distanced ‘Happy Birthday’ as he marked his centenary
He spent much of his early years in the Talybont area until his family moved to Cantref House in Cantref when he was just 11 and where he still lives today.
At the age of 14 Glynne was accepted as an apprentice at Harold Elstons & Sons Garage. Here he gained his knowledge of car and vehicle maintenance.
As well as being a garage Elston’s of Brecon also had a pioneering electrical business and Glynne helped install electric in many large houses in the area including Penpont and Abercamlais in the late 1930s.
Glynne remained at Elston’s for the whole of his working life with the majority of the years there selling a multitude of Ford Tractors and various agricultural implements throughout Breconshire and beyond.
During his long career Glynne became a well known face across the area having organised show stands for Elston’s at both Brecon Show and the Royal Welsh Show for many years.
The garage was the area’s main Ford dealer and under the ownership of Harold Elston’s son Tony moved to Brecon Enterprise park becoming the current Brecon Ford.
A great family man, Glynne married Mary Phillips in 1943, a marriage that was to last nearly 75 years until Marys death in 2018.
They had two children Terry and Sheila. Sadly Terry died two years ago too which was another great loss to Glynne.
Now living with his daughter Sheila and son-in-law Peter Glynne enjoys his regular visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren but found his celebration plans curtailed by the current lockdown - never afraid of embrancing modern technology he managed to speak to all his family via Facetime.
“In his early 80 Dad had a heart problem but a triple bypass and a new bovine aorta valve has seen him through to a 100,” said daughter Sheila,
“He is an avid reader of non fiction library books and having his daily newspapers is an absolute must! Dad is delighted with the new tabloid format of the Brecon & Radnor Express and he found the broadsheet style so hard to hold up,” she added.