CHEW Chat recently celebrated the 103rd birthday of Stacey Rees whose been part of the valley’s social group for the over-70s for the last seven years.

His party was themed around his favourite song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, with decorations featuring red hearts and a large photo of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Volunteers provided refreshments and Stacey was welcomed with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday and a fanfare of party poppers. John Skinner, of Chew Magna and a fellow Chew Chatter, led a This Is Your Life-style interview, prompting stories and much laughter among the audience.

Stacey was born on February 7, 1922, at Bristol Royal Infirmary; the son of Edward and Nancy Rees. His father, a proud Welshman, was a talented carpenter with an inventive mind and Stacey recalls that he designed a homemade car wash that his sons were expected to use daily to ensure the family car was always gleaming.

Growing up in a bustling household with four brothers, Stacey learned the values of hard work and had a very close relationship with his mother. He attended school in Kingsdown where he developed an interest and love for music. On his first day at school he met his first love, Shirley Rowse, who he credits with refining his Bristolian accent.

His childhood was filled with memories of Sunday school, where he recalls Miss Green presided over an old upright piano with brass candlesticks, and how the aroma of Hartley’s jam factory wafted over their garden at their home in Brislington where they moved during the Blitz.

Leaving school at 15, Stacey secured a part-time job in a wireless shop, officially making tea but secretly soaking up all the knowledge he could about radio technology - a skill that would later shape his wartime service. At the age of 20, Stacey was called up for National Service, where his wireless expertise unexpectedly earned him a place in the Royal Air Force as a radio operator and repairer.

After the war, Stacey found a job working for the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) in Filton. He played a role in the development of the legendary Bristol Brabazon and was there when Concorde was built. One of his most fascinating encounters was meeting Fidel Castro, shaking hands with the Cuban leader when he came to Bristol to collect a Bristol Britannia aircraft.

Fate intervened again when Stacey met Margaret, a typist at BAC, at a company skittles evening. A reluctant lift home led to a phone call, a first date, and ultimately marriage, after which Stacey became a stepfather to Alison and Christopher.

In 1978, Stacey and Margaret moved to Compton Martin, embracing village life with all its quirks. The Ring O’ Bells pub became a favourite spot, and they immersed themselves in the community.

Even after Margaret’s passing in 2012, Stacey remained active, coming along to Chew Chat activities where he tried his hand at various things from having his first singing lesson, performing his favourite song, learning to dance and even taking up yoga.