Fast Friends

York PR consultant Kendra Grahame-Clarke on her long-term companion Tommy the tortoise

Grove Terrace in York seems to promote longevity. Moving in 14 years ago with three young children, I found the surrounding homes full of families who had seen their children grow up and were now enjoying visits from their grandchildren and relaxing into retirement.

I also found a new friend, taking over temporary guardianship of Tommy the tortoise, who is purportedly more than 100 years old, and who I inherited – sort of – from an elderly neighbour. The charming gentleman, John Rowbottom, informed me that he was 13 when he took on Tommy, who was already 27 years old by then. I knew Mr Rowbottom was in his early nineties so, doing the maths, Tommy seems to have achieved a fabulous age.

Among my current roster of clients is the charity English Heritage, so history plays a major part in my working life. It seems only fitting then that I have a centenarian pet at home.