Dennis celebrates 100th birthday with family & friends - and reveals his secret to a long and happy life

From music in Clifton Park to movies at the former Regal Cinema – and not to mention bombs, bath tubs and the Blitz - a much-loved family man celebrated his centenary surrounded by friends, relatives and lots of memories.

Dennis Hodgetts - who has two daughters, four granddaughters, a great granddaughter and two great grandsons – was born in Sheffield but his family moved to Rotherham when he was a child after his father got a job at Steel, Peech and Tozer, the former steel maker with sites at Ickles and Templeborough.

Living in the St Ann's area, Dennis went to the local primary school and Spurley Hey secondary, and, as was common back then, left school and started work at 14, learning to become a plumber and a glazier.

His son-in-law Ashley Dunn told the Advertiser: “Our country was at war with Germany and, despite his age, he was tested by the Royal Navy but his eyesight let him down.

“Instead of joining the Forces, he was sent to London with a team of Yorkshire tradesmen to repair damaged houses during the Blitz.

“On returning to Rotherham he carried on plumbing and was working on a house on Doncaster Road across from Clifton Park when some incendiary bombs were dropped there during the night and one fell through the roof of the house and landed in the bath.

“Luckily it did not set fire to the house as people had been advised to keep their bath full of water in case it was shut off.

“But it made a mess of the bathroom – and the bath went through the floor!”

Dennis met wife-to-be Doris when they were both 17 and he was working on Thames Street replacing windows at Yates and Haywood Foundry.

Doris would by on her way to work at Pecks Department Store and Dennis asked her out to the Odeon Cinema – they were married three years later at All Saints Church.

“As everyone was still on war-time rations, friends and family donated their ration tokens to pay for the wedding dress,” said Ashley.

The couple moved into a terrace house in what was then Norfolk Place off Norfolk Street and spent many hours visiting Clifton Park with daughters Janet and Jill.

“They listed to music at the bandstand, saw children riding on donkeys and playing in the paddling pool and Dennis remembers when there was a lake in the park and people skated on it come Winter time.”

In 1960 they bough a brand new house at Droppingwell, miles away from the town centre with gardens and green spaces instead of a cobbled yard.

“It was a new life for all the family,” said Ashley, “and by this time Dennis was working for Steel, Peech and Tozer in the Brinsworth Strip Mill as a checker.”

He worked there until his retirement where he took up golf with a group of friends and enjoyed playing at clubs around the UK and abroad in Portugal.

When asked what has been the most memorable event of his life he quips: “Getting a hole-in-one at Brinsworth Golf Club!”

Commenting on the changes in his home town over the decades, Dennis said: “I saw the building of the Odeon – in 1934 as the Regal Cinema.

The town centre had several cinemas, a pub on nearly every street and a shop or beer-off on nearly every corner – including the famous Billy's Fish and Chip Shop on Norfolk Street.

“I remember trams and 'tracklesses' running through the centre of town bit some deliveries were still done by horse and cart – and the horse always drunk water from the troughs under the four clocks in Effingham Square.”

Added Ashley: “Dennis was a dedicated carer to Doris for many years and had the same Queen for most of his life.

“He was the same age as the Queen when he got married in the same year as her and is now looking forward to a receiving a birthday card from the King.

“It was great to honour Dennis on his birthday with a multitude of friends and family.

“When people ask the secret to his longevity he replies: 'Everything in moderation.'”