Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois congratulated one of his constituents, Mr Ernie Lane, on reaching the wonderful age of 100 and presented him with a special letter from the Prime Minister. Ernie has often been referred to as “Mr Rayleigh”.
Ernie is a well-known figure in Rayleigh, having served on the old Rayleigh Urban District Council but is also a local historian who has charted the development of Rayleigh since it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, almost a thousand years ago. Ernie has been Rayleigh Town Council’s “Citizen of the Year” and even had the small lane which runs from Webster’s Way car park through to the High Street named after him as “Ernie Lane”. As well as his many other achievements among our community, Ernie served his country in World War Two, joining the Army as a Private soldier and working his way up through the ranks to achieve the rank of Captain by the end of the war.
Commenting on Mr Lane’s landmark birthday, Mark said:
“In view of his exceptional service to our community, I was able to organise a letter from the Prime Minister, Theresa May, thanking him for everything he has done for the town of Rayleigh. I presented the framed letter to him in front of his friends and family on the morning of his birthday. By that time Ernie had also received a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen. It is wonderful to know that we have a man of his stature still living in our community and that he has achieved such a remarkable age.”