AN OKEHAMPTON man whose working life began at the age of ten celebrated his 100th birthday last Friday. Fred Smallacombe, who lives in Okehampton, was joined by many friends and family who had travelled from far and wide to be part of the celebrations on his special day. Fred attended school at Bratton Clovelly, but the onset of the first world war meant he began working on a nearby farm to help the war effort while he was still only ten years old. At the cessation of hostilities, Fred continued as a general agriculture worker in Bratton Clovelly for another 30 years. Fred?s father had worked on the railways, and after the second world war, the son followed in his father?s footsteps and worked relaying and maintaining railway track for 16 years. Fred said he had really enjoyed his time working on the railways. After that, he returned to work on the farm again before retiring to take a well-earned rest. Relatives from as far away as Kent, Dorset, Avon and Cornwall came as Fred held an ?open house? throughout the day. Also joining the party was mayor of Okehampton Cllr Tony Leech, who congratulated Fred on reaching his centenary. A lifelong Liberal, Fred was also given best wishes by Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for West Devon and Torridge David Walter. Fred was delighted so many people had come to visit him and was pleased to have received his congratulatory birthday card from the Queen. He moved to Okehampton eleven years ago and became a well-known and much-liked member of the community. He said Okehampton had grown and changed a great deal since he first visited the town when he was much younger. ?I used to know everybody in Okehampton, but it has changed in many ways,? he said. Fred said that growing up in the countryside, he had been used to living off the land and growing his own food for most of his life. ?I never bought a vegetable before I came to Okehampton,? he said. Fred?s generation have witnessed extraordinary changes in modes of transport during their lifetime, from the bicycle, the locomotive and the car through to the aeroplane. ?Growing up, I can remember there was only one motor car in Bratton Clovelly, now everyone has a car. I used to ride everywhere on a bicycle in those days.? And what does Fred put his long life down to? ?Good food and plenty of hard work. That?s a good remedy.?