Margaret Blair, a resident at Erskine Veterans Charity's McKellar House care home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, has celebrated her 105th birthday and shared the secret to her remarkable longevity: 'a good cup of tea with friends.'
A Life Spanning Over a Century
Born in 1921, when David Lloyd George was Prime Minister, insulin had just been discovered, and a pint of milk cost only seven old pence, Mrs Blair has witnessed immense historical change. She has never smoked or drunk alcohol, attributing her happiness and long life to simple pleasures like home-cooked meals and good company.
'I've had a great life and so many happy memories over the years,' she said. 'I feel very fortunate to be celebrating my 105th birthday and to have reached this milestone surrounded by family, friends and everyone here at McKellar House. The secret to a long life is a good cup of tea with friends, and we've had a few of them today.'
Early Life and Wartime Service
One of five children, Mrs Blair grew up in her grandmother's house in Dumbarton on the banks of the River Clyde. After finishing school, she worked in embroidery at the United Turkey Red Works, a major Scottish textile firm. During the Second World War, she served as an overseer at the Blackburn Aircraft Factory in Dumbarton, where Sunderland Flying Boats were built for the UK forces.
In 1941, she enlisted in the Women's Land Army and was stationed at her uncle's farm in Southmains, Milngavie. There, she met her future husband, Christie Blair, the son of a local gamekeeper. Mr Blair served in the RAF from 1940 to 1947, spending time in India before returning home.
Marriage and Family
The couple married in 1948 and moved into a home in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. They had a daughter, Senga, born in 1957. Mrs Blair is now a grandmother to two and a great-grandmother to three. The couple were happily married until Mr Blair's death in 2017.
On her 105th birthday, Mrs Blair received a second royal birthday card from the King and Queen, having previously received one on her 100th birthday.
A Celebration of Life
Ian Cumming, chief executive of Erskine Veterans Charity, said: 'It is a pleasure for everyone at Erskine to celebrate Margaret's 105th birthday. Reaching such a remarkable milestone is a significant occasion and a chance to recognise a life filled with memories and experiences. We are delighted to help make the day special for Margaret and to celebrate alongside her family, friends, residents and staff.'
