A 92 year old war veteran has become one of the oldest people in the UK to gain a computer qualification.
Silver surfer Don Thomas is still as fit as a fiddle and even cycled to the weekly classes in Kinmel Bay where he lives.
The free 10-week Computers for Beginners course was organised by Don’s landlords, housing association Cartrefi Conwy, in conjunction with Llandrillo College.
Don enjoyed it so much that he is planning to regularly pop in to use the computers and will be attending the Digital Inclusion sessions at the Community House on the Chester Avenue estate.
He and his classmates were presented with their certificates by Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden.
Delighted Don said: “It’s been a marvellous experience, completing the computer course. Who would have thought I’d be getting a certificate for learning how to use a computer at my age?
“I really do take my hat off to Cartrefi Conwy and the Llandrillo College tutor, Tean Williams, who has been very patient with me.
“It’s all about practising now. My son is coming up from Kent to help me a bit more on the internet. I love history and I can’t believe how much information is out there for people to look up and read.
“I was in the Royal Corp of Signals during the war and I can read all about the Battle of Britain and things like that.
“You look at what computers do today and marvel – when I started in the Signals we never even had radar!
“All we had was spotters, all along the coast, it was their job to look out for enemy aircraft and warn the control room so they could direct the ack-ack fire.
“Now, I can look up every aspect of the war and even look at the history of Blaina, in the South Wales Valleys, where I grew up or the steelworks in Sheffield where I worked.”
He added: “Maybe, through the internet I will be able to find some of my old colleagues from the war and get back in touch with them, you never know. I just think it’s marvellous.
“The other thing about doing the computer course is it helps keep my brain ticking over.
“I think everyone has signed up to do the intermediate course which is brilliant. The Community House is always a great place to come and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. There is always something going on and it’s nice to see some of the youngsters here too.”
He added: “The thing is the world doesn’t stand still just because you get old, you have to try and keep up with things. I hope I can encourage some other older people to give it a go and learn how to use computers. There’s nothing to be scared of.
“I’m going to have to get a frame now to put my certificate in. It’s going to take pride of place on my mantlepiece.”
Fellow tenant Norma Roberts, 73, also got a lot out of it.
She said: “It’s amazing what you can do and what you can find out. I never realised just how good the internet is.
“The course certainly showed us all that there is nothing to be scared of when it comes to computers and I don’t think it matters how old or young you are, there is so much you can do.”
After the presentation, Andrew Bowden Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive explained: “Digital exclusion is something we take very seriously and it so important we get as many people as we can up to speed and with the internet in particular.
“Everyone has done so well and I’m particularly impressed with Don Thomas. To complete a course in computer use at age 92 is remarkable and just shows what can be done. Don must be one of the oldest people in Britain to gain a computer qualification.”
According to Cartrefi Conwy Community House Development Manager Vicky Welsman, learning how to use computers is a vital skill for tenants.
She said: “We have a suite of computers here in the Community House for the use of all tenants. It’s so important tenants know how to use computers as more and more things are done on-line nowadays.
“Whether it is welfare benefit enquiries or job applications in this day and age
you are at a distinct disadvantage if you can’t use a computer.
