Comedian celebrates 90th birthday (From Keighley News)

Comedian celebrates 90th birthday

11:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

Heard the one about the Silsden man who has turned 90?

Charles Clarkson – a part-time comedian, compere and singer – celebrated the landmark birthday yesterday.

“Nowadays his routine is mainly restricted to family parties but he has done the clubs, church halls and other venues,” said daughter Margaret.

Mr Clarkson, of Bradley Road, was born at the old Victoria Hospital in Keighley and was the first to be delivered there by caesarean section.

He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and afterwards became an office clerk at Hill Benson & Bailey Mills in Silsden, where he spent his working life.

Mr Clarkson and his wife of 63 years, Doris, who is 87, have two children – Margaret and David – five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The couple treated the family to a celebratory Sunday lunch at Meadmore Preston’s Farm, Silsden Moor.

Margaret said: “My dad gave a touching speech with jokes thrown in and also presented my mum with a gold medal for her devotion to him and the family.”