King Charles has congratulated the UK's oldest volunteer who is still working for the National Trust in Worcestershire. Malcom Walford, age 91, has been part of the team at Croome Court, near Pershore, for 71 years and has no plans to retire. He was initially employed as a labourer two months after Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953.
Since then, Mr Walford has devoted his life to working at the estate before it was taken over by the National Trust - quickly re-joining as a volunteer after his retirement. Mr Walford - affectionately nicknamed ‘Grandad Croome’ - celebrated his 91st birthday on Sunday (August 25), and received a letter from King Charles thanking him for his 71 years of service. In the letter, King Charles said he was "heartened" by Malcolm's appreciation for the natural landscape and heritage of Croome.
Mr Walford joked: "He's a friend of mine, a good friend of mine.” READ MORE: Sigh of relief as beleaguered farm which rescues animals finds new home READ MORE: 'Here is why we are putting sanitary bins in our men's toilets' READ MORE: Watch as iconic steam locomotive arrives at city train station Despite his years, Mr Walford works at the church in the grounds two days a week and has no plans to retire. Mr Walford has even reserved a burial plot in the churchyard so he will always be part of the estate.
He said: "I shall be here as the ghost of Croome . I will never leave this place. It’s part of me.
"Looking back, I never would have thought I’d .