Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Aden Brinn helped one of Pembrokeshire’s oldest residents celebrate his birthday in style recently.

Renowned artist and sculptor Denis Curry celebrated his 100th birthday at Narberth’s Lee Davies Centre just days after the nation commemorated the centenary of the end of the first word war.

Mr Curry, who attends the day centre once a week was born at the exact time and day the guns fell silent and he has gone on to live a life that is as varied and dramatic as the moment he was born.

He saw active service with the Royal Engineers in North Africa and Monte Casino and following the end of the war went to Slade School to pursue his passion for the arts.

There, he won several prizes for his drawing and sculptures and developed his passion for flight.

He moved to Pembrokeshire in 1976 settling in Llanycefn

Many of his sculptures depict birds in flight but he is perhaps better known for constructing ‘The Human Powered Wing’ a variable-geometry ornithopter claimed to be the first such machine to initiate propulsion solely by means of the wing movements.

Such was the interest in this work of art, it featured in a 1975 broadcast for the BBC!

“Denis is a real character with great stories to tell,” said the centre’s senior care worker Amy Simes.

“He may not fly around the place like he used to but he is remarkably healthy for a man of 100 years of age and it was a pleasure to put on this event for him.”

Clr Brinn agreed: “What a remarkable man.

“I can’t believe he is 100 years old. He’s proof of what can be achieved through leading an active life with an active mind.

“It was a pleasure to be in in his company and I wish him all the best for the future.”

To find out more about Denis Curry’s human powered wing visit www.humanpoweredwing.co.uk