Happy 60th Birthday Dad

60 years ago today Kenneth Leyland was born!!

Your family loves you so much and wants you to know just how much.

So here are 60 reasons why we LOVE you

Daniel said:
1. He has never paid more than 500 quid for a car
2. You never know what to buy him for Christmas or his birthday
3. He will pick anything up off the floor and keep it
4. He gives me unbiased and free bishopric advice
5. He's "A Proper Grafter" even though his real work day's end at 11:30am
6. His table manners are second to none and he used to eat with books under his arms and on his head
7. His dress sense has improved with age
8. He pretends to hate dogs but deep down he doesn't
9. He used to drive a LADA without shame
10. He's an excellent Dad and Grandad

Tim said :

1. How excited he gets when he completes a DIY project at home
2. The way he tries to hide his swearing under his breath when he hurts himself fixing the car
3. His supernatural ability to sense when a door or window is open in the house
4. His generosity
5. All the things he has taught me to fix
6. He lets me make my own decisions and makes me face the consequences
7. His concern for his family
8. The way he looks after my mum
9. Sunday dinners
10. His ability to make a woolly hat he found on the floor look good with a shirt and tie for every occasion.

Cath and James said:

1. His thrift – most people don’t know that a glass of lemonade must always be half full never full, a holiday is best enjoyed in a two man tent and that is perfectly acceptable to stop fast flowing traffic to pick up coppers.
2. His family pride coupled with a lack of shame i.e. the Leyland badge on the gate, the mast and flag in the back garden and the van (RIP)
3. His favourite phrases, “Im on your side ….. We teach them the correct principles ………You’ve left the window open upstairs……You’ve been touching the buttons with your wet thumb”
4. His inability to walk past a bargain, auction buys include a football table, fire pit, tins of sardines, tshirts with tagged with bust company logos. My personal favourite was when he bought a load of sweets and set up a tuck shop in the shed. He wanted us to pay for them when we came round to visit.
5. His diy skills
6. He makes Olivia sneeze
7. He’s always there for us
8. His pearls of wisdom such as if you’re ill sweat it out, No need for a patriarchal blessing, its just fortune telling, mum’s away for a week? Just make a broth and reheat it every day.
9. He’s always provided for us
10. His bum bag and hat combo

Helen said:

1. He's the cheapest handyman around
2. The years finest fat fighter- what an inspiration
3. His endless enthusiasm for his garden skills
4. He took me to see Forest Gump when i was only 11 (it's a 12) i felt well cool
5. i love the way he handles an itch on his forehead- by scooping his hand all the way from the back of his head
6. Once when we were driving Cath told me to stop singing and dad heard and made everyone be quiet while i sang my song!
7. He's always on my side- even when I haven't done the best thing (like giving my teacher the v's)
8. His steady driving skills- we're as impressed as the eggs above his wheels!
9. He knows everything worth knowing about the valley
10.He's a snappy dresser- everyone should wear a shirt and tie whenever possible.

Ben said:
1, he looks after me
2, he is reliable
3, he is one of my bezzy mates
4, he is one of the few people i can talk 2 football about
5, he works hard for the family i.e dial a daily
6, taught me quality etiquete rules such as not to eat like a dog and bring food to my mouth not my mouth to the plate
7,taught me the value of shutting doors
8, instilled a love of all gods creature e.g. cats
9, he is funny
10, HE IS MY DAD, the only one i will ever have

Rachel said:
1. his fine taste in films 2. his crackin' fashion sense 3. how skilled his is at walking 4. his gorgeous ankles 5. how friendly he is in't temple 6. his selective hearing infront of the telly 7. how he lets Danni call him dad, and how ace she's thinks he is cos of it 8. when he actually finds summat really funny and laughs loads, so that his top teeth are on full display 9. when he treats me to lil things unexpectedly (flashing keyring) 10. that he loves mum, and us kids =]

And now for the reasons why I love you Ken:

Even though you had some wild days in your past...you still look great :)

You love the Harry Potter books...so much that I think you may have been hiding a secret from all of us.

I bet you didn't know in his spare time your Dad is a movie star!?! Lot's of secrets Kenny boy has.

More proof of his fame. Look at him plastered up on huge billboards in Times Square. You are too humble Ken. :)

I Love that you can kick it old style with your hommies.


I love that you are so secretive about your wealth.

I love that you can do a KILLER jig or whatever this dance was. It was quite impressive.

In all seriousness...I love that you have raised a wonderful man who has learned good and valuable life lessons from you. I love that a new generation of "men" are being led by your example.



I love that your family all look up to you. And your Grandchildren feel safe in your arms and are smothered in your love and affection.


Let it go down in the history books that Ken Leyland was a good and kind man who loved his family and lived to make life for those around him the best that it can be.

I am grateful that you are my father in law and that you have been a rock to all of our families.

Happy 60th Birthday!!!