A Toast to 105, Ron Thompson’s Red Wine Secret

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6 February 2026

Essex Live reports that Ron Thompson, a care home resident in Essex who has just turned 105, has joked that the secret to his long life is red wine, saying he does not understand what all the fuss is about. He marked the occasion with a weekend of celebrations, including a family gathering where he toasted with red wine and enjoyed chocolates while spending time with his great-grandchildren.

Ron received cards from across the country as well as a message from His Majesty The King, which he now keeps alongside earlier royal messages. He was also presented with a certificate recognising both his 105th birthday and 78 years of Freemasonry, and he is thought to be the world’s oldest Freemason. While he teased that he would not reveal his secret in case others caught him up, he admitted that his fondness for red wine may well have helped, a theme echoed by a local schoolboy who visited with a bottle of Ron’s favourite red and a handmade card.

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