DAVID LAZENBY, CBE, RESIDENT AT BERNARD SUNLEY CARE HOME IN WOKING SHARES HIS PERSPECTIVE ON HIS LIFE EXPERIENCES TO MARK INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY 2025

At Bernard Sunley, the Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, which is celebrating its 120th Anniversary this year, to mark International Men’s Day 2025, resident David Lazenby, CBE, has been talking about his life, accomplishments and memorable events.

The annual International Men’s Day celebrates the positive impact men have on their families, communities, and society; acts as a platform to raise awareness of challenges faced by men, as well as encouraging the promotion of positive male role models and a more inclusive understanding of masculinity.

“If I could turn back the clock and give the ‘younger me’ some advice, I’d say please, always think of yourself,” said David. “Throughout my working career and personal life, I have had to make many important decisions – decisions that I would never have imagined I’d have to make when I was younger – and, as I always say, the person who makes the crucial decisions is always you – you have the biggest effect on your own life.”

David, who made Bernard Sunley his home five months ago, has held many senior business positions during his career and he was also awarded the honour of becoming a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

“To be awarded a CBE was a great honour,” continued David. “It is extremely special as you must be nominated by someone and are only given to those individuals who demonstrate that they have made significant achievements and impact at a national or leading regional level.

“Once I was nominated, my achievements were evaluated by specialist committees who made recommendations which were then sent to the Prime Minister and, finally, to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

“Being awarded my CBE - which is the highest ranking Order of the British Empire level, excluding a Knighthood - and recognised as having made a distinguished and innovative contribution to society was one of my greatest accomplishments.”

“David is such an interesting and intelligent man,”said Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley. “We were chatting at one of our regular reminiscing sessions and David said that the most significant, historical moment he has ever witnessed was the Moon Landing in July 1969.

“David told us all about the Apollo 11 mission and how the lunar module named ‘Eagle’ landed on The Moon on 20th July 1969 - but that Neil Armstrong didn’t actually step on to the Moon’s surface until six hours later. David also recounted Armstrong’s famous words ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind’, which got the whole group talking about space, the planets and stars,”continued Andy.

David credits his School Headmaster and the Presidents of the organisations he work with as being the most influential male roles models in his life. “All the gentlemen who held senior positions in businesses I have worked with - and my old School Headmaster – reaffirmed that it is pivotal to be respectful and well organised. These two traits I have always carried with me which helped me to managed my time well to make sure I spent enough time with my family, enjoying my hobbies as well as at work, doing my job,” added David. “Being honest, treating people well, being respectful and kind are things that I have instilled in my own children, which I am very proud of as well.

“The other day, I was chatting with my care home friends about movies we enjoy and I was asked, if a movie was made of my life, what would it be? I’d have to say it would have to be an action blockbuster, set in the 1960s full of international intrigue, exotic locations and iconic cars, so who else could I be apart from James Bond?” concluded David.