Eustace 100th mark a blessing

GIVEN local life expectancy rates, there is a very good chance that a man fathering a child at nearly 70 will not live to see the newborn reach adulthood.

David Bynoe didn’t want that to happen so he said many prayers, which were answered big time yesterday, when his dad, a former well-digger, celebrated his 100th birthday in the company of Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave, family and friends.

Eustace Seymour Layne, well dressed in suit and felt hat, became emotional at times as he received happy birthday greetings from those present at his youngest son’s home at Country View Estate, Lowthers, Christ Church.

David is that son, having been born when Eustace Layne was in his late 60s. Now 32, David, reflecting on his dad’s longevity, said: “I committed to prayer and I said, ‘Well, look my dad has to see me develop, become a man, have my own house and being a productive citizen of Barbados and I want to see him reach a hundred years old and beyond and … God brought that to fruition.”

Please read the full story in today’s Weekend Nation, or in the eNATION edition.