THE bells will be ringing out at Broadwoodkelly Parish Church at 4pm next Wednesday to mark the 100th birthday of lifelong bellringer Sydney Harris.
A party will follow in the village hall and anyone who knows Mr Harris is welcome to join in and celebrate his century.
Born and bred at Broadwoodkelly, Mr Harris, a former wheelwright, lived in the village until ten years ago when he moved to Lifton with his wife, Nancy.
In 1999, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary but following Nancy's death, Mr Harris moved to a bungalow in Winkleigh to be nearer his family.
Still cooking his lambs chops and English breakfasts, the centenarian-to-be is extremely independent and apart from the hoovering, which is done by his daughter-in-law, he looks after himself.
Such is his spirit that two years ago he learned to play the keyboard without any previous musical training, apart from bellringing of course!
His daughter, Margaret Anstey, said: 'He wanted something to occupy his mind so he decided to learn the keyboard and picked it up straight away.
'It was unbelievable — when I went into the house I thought it was the wireless going but it was dad playing.'
Mrs Anstey said her father had been a bell ringer all his life and had only given it up very recently.
'He's marvellous really,' she said. 'He's just the same as he was 40 years ago.'
Mr Harris said it was important to be active and 'keep going as long as you can'.
When asked what was the secret of his long life he replied: 'When I was a young man my mother told me not to chase the girls until I was 21 as it stunts your growth — my height did not increase much so I will let you work that one out yourself!
Despite his long association with Broadwoodkelly, Mr Harris said he was very pleased with his new home in Winkleigh.
'I used to see a lovely view of Dartmoor from my old house and I can still do that living in Winkleigh so I am happy.'