Noted philanthropist David Barber celebrated his 91st birthday over the weekend at a party which he said was "one of the best".

"I'm a party man," Mr. Barber, who recently received the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour, told The Royal Gazette. "I love parties. I had a wonderful time."

With a hundred guests and "very good catering" from the Flying Chef, including a beautiful birthday cake, Mr. Barber said everybody was happy.

In lieu of gifts, guests made donations to several charities: the Bermuda Heart Foundation, the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association, Project Action, and PALS. Mr. Barber has become famous over the years for his generous donations to Island charities.

Mr. Barber made a 20-minute speech to his guests talking about his purchase of the Coral Island Club in 1947, which he bought for 22,000 against the advice of Sir Henry Tucker.

Sir Henry, who was very familiar with the property, told Mr. Barber it was in shambles and said: "For your own good, I will not help," Mr. Barber told his guests, laughing.

Though he left some 14 years of his life story out of the speech, Mr. Barber promised guests he would tell them the rest on his 92nd birthday.

"Everybody was very happy, including me," he said.

Over the years Mr. Barber has provided funding for the Sixth Form Building at Warwick Academy, the Cardiac Wing at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, three exhibition rooms at the Maritime Museum, the Physical Abuse Centre, and Project Action's three vehicles providing free transport for senior citizens, which he donated in memory of his beloved wife, the late Mary Barber.