17 February,2010 11:54 AM IST | | Agencies
After 68 years of service, Ted Ingram, who started doing the rounds during WW II, is all set to enter record books for delivering 5,00,000 newspapersu00a0u00a0u00a0
He probably does not offer the speediest of deliveries.
But after 68 years, Ted Ingram's newspaper round is certainly the most reliable. For the 90-year-old could soon be entering the record books as the world's longest-serving paper boy.
And despite delivering half a million copies since he began his part-time job in 1942, he insists he is not yet ready for retirement.
Ingram, who earns u00a31.20 (Rs 87) a week for his work, said, "I love my round. I don't make any money out of it now but I do it for the village, and because I enjoy it and it keeps me fit."
"I can't believe that I am a record holder at my age, but I don't feel any different. If my health lets me I will go on until I am 100."
Failed deliveries
Over the past seven decades, Ingram has failed to deliver papers to his neighbours in Winterborne Monkton, near Dorchester, Dorset, only twice -- both times because of impassable snow. During that time, he has taken only two holidays, both at Butlins in the 1960s, when a neighbour looked after his round. Even when the great-grandfather broke his back in the 1950s, he arranged for his late wife Betty to deliver the papers.
Ingram, who worked on a farm as a tractor driver, said he decided to supplement his income by delivering the Dorset Echo when he was 22.
He said, "When I started the wages weren't good, so I thought I would do the paper round to boost my money."
Back in those days there were 26 houses to deliver to and it took me next to no time. I enjoy doing the round because you meet people and have a bit of a chit-chat.'
Ingram has recently been forced to swap his push bike for a Peugeot 106 while he recovers from a hip replacement operation. "I'll be using my car until I can get on my bike again," he said. "I feel I'm lucky. Keeping so busy has kept me well."
Judy Norman, who has had her papers delivered by Ingram for the past 20 years, said, "Ted also cuts the grass on our farm, which is amazing. He is always friendly and has five minutes for you. He is just remarkable."
A spokesman for Guinness World Records said, "The record for the longest-serving paper boy is Darlyne Markus in Idaho, in the US. She started in 1958 at the age of 29 and did so until November 21, 2008, when she reached the age of 79, a period of 50 years and 173 days.Guinness has contacted Ingram to verify his claim.
