Popular Melton man celebrates 90th birthday

Geoff Skerritt, whose memories go back to witnessing bomb damage as a child growing up in the town during the Second World War, reached his milestone on Saturday.

He hopes to enjoy a proper party with family members, including daughter Helen and grandsons Dylan and Hayden, when current lockdown restrictions are eased.

Helen told the Melton Times: “Dad is well known in the community for going out of his way to talk to others and many know him for stopping to chat to them in the street or the town centre on his many walks and for his genuine concern for others.

“Lots of people remember him as an electricity meter reader and for his voluntary and church work and helping out on Melton Day back in the day.”

Geoff was one of eight boys born to Ernest and Blanche Skerritt in 1931 and he grew up in Staveley Road, Mayfield Street, Sysonby Street and Rudbeck Avenue.

He attended the old Modern Boys’ School in the town and has clear memories of wartime bombing raids on Brook Street and Asfordby Valley by the German Luftwaffe.

Geoff started working for East Midlands Electricity in 1946 and his long service there was only interupted by a two-year National Service stint from the age of 18, serving in Yorkshire and in Germany.

He married Joy in 1969, at St Mary’s Church, in Melton, and their daughter was born in 1980.

When his brother, John, was the Mayor of Melton for the year 1991-92, Geoff and his daughter, Helen, did a bike ride to Rutland Water and back and raised money for his appeal.

Following retirement from the electricity board 29 years ago, Geoff worked as a volunteer for the WRVS, which was based on Saxby Road, and delivered meals and books to the town’s elderly.

He also did voluntary work at St Mary’s Church, welcoming visitors and helping to look after the historic building, acting as a verger there for 20 years.

His caring for others extended to being a regular blood donor - he was awarded a gold badge for making 50 donations.

“Dad is an extremely devoted husband and father and he’s a very family-orientated person, who never forgets all of our birthdays,” added daughter Helen.

“I posted about his 90th birthday on Facebook and I got so many lovely messages from people saying they remembered him for his sociable manner and his smile.”