The One Show celebrates agricultural salesman working at 96

A 96-year-old countryman, who still works five days a week, will be appearing on BBC1’s The One Show this evening (Monday 5 January).

Reg Huntley, a farm sales ambassador with Kent Wool Growers (KWG), will be extolling the benefits of hard work on the programme, which airs between 7pm and 8pm. 

He will also be giving viewers a motivational “back to work” message after the Christmas holidays.

See also: Philip Parker recounts how agriculture has changed over the past 80 years

He drives 250 miles a week, looking after 300 customers across east Kent, supplying them with medical and agricultural supplies.

He took the role with the firm in 2012 at the age of 93 – and said he still gets a “real buzz” out of getting a sale.

As to the key ingredients that make a good rep, Reg said: “It’s not complicated, just be truthful all the time, be reliable, know your products, sell the benefits and your customers will stay with you.”

He had previously set up and run his own company for more than 40 years – RK Huntley Vet Pharmaceuticals – selling medical and agricultural products.

Before that, following a seven-year stint in the army, he had taken his first job in 1947 working for Dalcinex Chemicals.

Reg with The One Show presenter Carrie Grant

He then moved to Cooper McDougall & Robertson as a salesman covering Kent, Sussex and Surrey, selling Coopers Sheep Dip. It was here he progressed to area manager with eight sales reps under him, serving the South as far as Cornwall.

Reg, who lives in Stelling Minnis with his wife Patricia, has a son, David, who retired two years ago, and a daughter Alison. He also has two grandsons.

Peter Holmes, managing director of KWG, said: “Reg is a great asset to the company and role model for society, we’re very proud of his achievements. We can all take a valuable lesson from Reg’s passion for life and business.”

Reg puts his long, active life down to good nutrition – meat and two veg (Sussex beef is a particular favourite), plenty of regular exercise, keeping his brain active by continuing to work, plus getting eight hours sleep a night.

Do you know someone in farming or the allied industries who is still working full-time in their 80s or 90s? If so, email tim.relf@rbi.co.uk