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CARLISLE, England / The Cumberland News / January 2, 2009
By Elizabeth Broughton
She lived through both world wars, used to cycle across the Scottish border to work every day and on New Year’s Eve celebrated a special milestone.
Margaret Sinclair, of Harraby, Carlisle, surpassed her century on Wednesday as she hit the grand old age of 101.
The secret to her long life is simple. She said: “I’ve had a good life. I’ve not had a lot of trouble and it’s been very pleasant.”
Margaret Sinclair
That long life has seen her family extend to six generations, including the latest edition, two-year-old great-great-great-granddaughter Layla-Grace.
Layla-Grace’s mother, and Margaret’s great-great-granddaughter, Danielle Thompson, said: “It’s lovely for Layla-Grace to meet her. She loves her to bits.”
But it wasn’t always so easy. For her first – and only – job, the 14-year-old Margaret would cycle daily from Gretna to Carlisle to work in the Carr’s factory, where she worked for nine years.
“She’s a very strong-willed woman,” said her granddaughter, Anne Gibson, who helped Margaret celebrate her special day.
“She’s very determined.”
Margaret spent her early years in Penrith and Gretna, after being born at home in Ramsbeck Cottage, on Ullswater, on the eve of 1908.
One of six children, Margaret had three older brothers, a younger brother and an older sister, Elizabeth, who became one of her best friends.
And it was when she was 22 at a dance in Scotby Village Hall that Margaret was to meet her other best friend – her husband Edwin Sinclair.
They married in 1931 and went on to have one child, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-granddaughter.
Margaret was widowed 25 years ago, a year to the day after she moved into her current Harraby home.
“We’re here every day though,” said Anne.
“She’s like the Queen of Sheba – well looked after.”
Source:
The Cumberland News
She lived through both world wars, used to cycle across the Scottish border to work every day and on New Year’s Eve celebrated a special milestone.
Margaret Sinclair, of Harraby, Carlisle, surpassed her century on Wednesday as she hit the grand old age of 101.
The secret to her long life is simple. She said: “I’ve had a good life. I’ve not had a lot of trouble and it’s been very pleasant.”
Margaret Sinclair
That long life has seen her family extend to six generations, including the latest edition, two-year-old great-great-great-granddaughter Layla-Grace.
Layla-Grace’s mother, and Margaret’s great-great-granddaughter, Danielle Thompson, said: “It’s lovely for Layla-Grace to meet her. She loves her to bits.”
But it wasn’t always so easy. For her first – and only – job, the 14-year-old Margaret would cycle daily from Gretna to Carlisle to work in the Carr’s factory, where she worked for nine years.
“She’s a very strong-willed woman,” said her granddaughter, Anne Gibson, who helped Margaret celebrate her special day.
“She’s very determined.”
Margaret spent her early years in Penrith and Gretna, after being born at home in Ramsbeck Cottage, on Ullswater, on the eve of 1908.
One of six children, Margaret had three older brothers, a younger brother and an older sister, Elizabeth, who became one of her best friends.
And it was when she was 22 at a dance in Scotby Village Hall that Margaret was to meet her other best friend – her husband Edwin Sinclair.
They married in 1931 and went on to have one child, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-granddaughter.
Margaret was widowed 25 years ago, a year to the day after she moved into her current Harraby home.
“We’re here every day though,” said Anne.
“She’s like the Queen of Sheba – well looked after.”
Source: The Cumberland News
