Ephraim Mirvis was impressed with the healthy lifestyle of some members of the Bournemouth community when on his first visit to the town since becoming Chief Rabbi.
Hannah Levy House care home was his first engagement where, while chatting to residents with his wife, Valerie, he was introduced to Fay Taylor, who had recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
After a welcome from Rabbi Adrian Jesner Rabbi Mirvis told the 400-strong gathering at Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation's Shabbat civic service how he had witnessed the benefits of "healthy living" in Bournemouth, having met the centenarian the previous day and "today the first call up to the Torah was to 103-year-old Robin Segal".
On Sunday morning during a Shacharit service he gave an address at a Yom Yerushaliyim festive breakfast.
A further meeting with the community saw around 200 people in the shul's Menorah Suite hear him express his appreciation for having spent "a fantastic weekend in a warm and welcoming community".
President Ivor Weintroub thanked the Chief Rabbi for the "truly memorable weekend".