ONE of Cardigan’s most respected and liked businessmen will celebrate his 100th birthday on Friday, November 24.

Born on November 224, 1917 in a small village in east Germany, Aribert Radday, known to many as 'Harry the baker' from Priory Cafe (now known as Branney’s) will have his friends, family and former members of staff join him at his home in The Meadows, Haverfordwest for a small celebration.

Known for always wearing his clogs, his scrumptious home-made cakes and his love of betting on horses, Harry has led an interesting life.

He served as a paratrooper during the Second World War and travelled to Texas, Crete and California where he was awarded three medals for his bravery, before being captured and sent to Bridgend as a prisoner of war around 1946.

Sadly, he never saw his mother again. A year or so later, he moved to Cardigan before working at Dol Pwll Farm in Crymych, Stepaside and Trebared Farms in Cardigan.

He then went into business running a mink farm in Llangoedmor before starting to work at the Priory Cafe owned by Mr Sheard in the late 50s before purchasing the cafe in 1971.

“He was a well-known baker and very well liked. He would get up every morning at 5am to bake his bread and make his cakes at the old bake house in Pwllhai,” said his daughter Rose Evans.

“He never took a holiday and his work was his life. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone including his neighbours in Llechryd where he lived with his wife Carol.”

Harry retired from the cafe in 1987 and at the age of 85 was registered blind. Following several mini strokes, he has resided for the past four years at The Meadows residential care home in Pembrokeshire

“He sleeps a lot and when awake will attempt to speak, but sadly we can’t understand him,” said Rose.

“He can’t hear or see and suffers with Alzheimers and dementia, it has been very difficult but we have very fond memories of him when he was in Cardigan and at Priory Cafe.

“People often tell us of their memories of him – he would always take leftover cakes to patients at Cardigan Hospital and on Grand National Day, the bake house would be very busy with people coming in for betting tips.

“He really was a very well-liked man,” said Rose who will be joined at the party by her mother Carol, brother Hans, grand-children Caryl, Daniel, Hannah and family.

The family have asked for no gifts, but donations will be made to the RNIB - the Royal National Institute of Blind People, a charity close to Harry’s heart.