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Ashford Kent Wool Growers employee still working 9 to 5 at 95

Do you see yourself working full-time at the age of 95?

If the answer is yes, then take a leaf out of Reginald Huntley’s book.

The grandfather from Stelling Minnis, who celebrates his 96th birthday on Friday, works for Kent Wool Growers (KWG) five days a week - with no intention to retire any time soon.

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Reginald turns 96 on Friday
Reginald turns 96 on Friday

The farm sales ambassador looks after 300 KWG customers in East Kent and racks up 250 miles a week driving around to see clients.

Peter Holmes, managing director of KWG said: “He is a great asset to the company and a role model for society, we’re very proud of his achievements - we can all take a valuable lesson from Reg’s passion for life and business.”

Mr Huntley lives with his wife Patricia, who is a farmers daughter, and has a son called David - who retired two years ago - a daughter named Alison and two grandsons.

Reginald Huntley
Reginald Huntley

He was a golf fanatic in his past, as a member of Littlestone Golf Club for 35 years with a four handicap, but due to knee injuries he took an early retirement from the game.

But the early departure has not been planned for his current job.

Mr Huntley says he keeps fit and healthy by working, regularly exercising and making sure he gets eight hours sleep every night.

For the past 50 years he has attended the gym religiously once a week, and says nutrition is key with "meat and two veg" on the menu, Sussex beef especially.

Video: Why Reg still works nice to five at 95

Before working at KWG, he spent 67 years in the farming community.

He was born and raised into a farming family in Harrietsham, where his grandparents were farmers and butchers.

He spent seven years in the army and in 1947, he started his first job working for Dalcinex Chemicals.

He worked for various companies, including Cooper McDougall & Robertson where he became an area manager having his first encounters with KWG in 1956, selling to their customers in the Chichester area.

Peter Holmes, managing director of KWG presented Reginald with a new pair of boot socks
Peter Holmes, managing director of KWG presented Reginald with a new pair of boot socks

He then set up his own business, R K Huntley Vet Pharmaceuticals, which successfully ran for over 40 years selling medical and agricultural products to the farming community.

In 2012, Mr Huntley decided to join KWG at the age of 93.

He will celebrate his birthday this Friday with mulled wine and mince pies at the farming supplies shop in Tannery Lane, from 11am. Everyone is welcome.

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