NEWS: 111 year old Annie is the oldest woman in Britain

Mark McLaughlin
Evening News (Edinburgh)
July 21, 2010, Wednesday

SHE has lived during the reigns of six British monarchs, outlived the premierships of 26 prime ministers and survived two world wars.

Born in 1898 when Queen Victoria was on the throne, her life has witnessed the advent of TV, air travel and the birth of the NHS. Now Annie Turnbull, who is set to be 112 in September, can celebrate becoming the oldest person in the UK.

On her 111th birthday, Annie was the oldest woman in Scotland, and the fourth oldest woman in the UK.

Staff at Victoria Park Care Home, where she has lived for just over two years after she decided to leave Manderston Court sheltered-housing complex for more focused care at the age of 109, said she wished to mark the event privately.

Care home manager Sue Donaldson said: "Annie doesn't want publicity so we wouldn't want to say anything beyond what was said already at her 111th birthday party. She is a very private woman.

"For our part, it's a great privilege to have her here and to look after her."

Annie became the oldest in UK this week following the death of Eunice Bowman, from Ince-in-Makerfield, Lancashire, on July 16, just a month before her 112th birthday. She is now the 27th oldest known living person in the world, and the seventh oldest in Europe.

The world's current oldest living person is Frenchwoman Eugénie Blanchard at 114 years and 155 days.

However, they all have a long way to go if they aim to beat Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who set the record at 122 before her death in 1997.

Born and brought up in Stoneyburn, West Lothian, Mrs Turnbull moved to the Capital after leaving school aged 14.

The year of her birth saw the introduction of Edinburgh's first motor buses â€" the Penny Stinkers â€" as well as the opening of the Glenogle Baths in Stockbridge.

She went into service as a table-maid â€" a job she held for most of her working life.

Although the job was hard, it gave her the chance to meet well-known people, including author Rudyard Kipling. She lived in Easter Road until the age of 92, before moving to the Manderston Court sheltered-housing complex.

She said previously: "I've really been lucky, not having any illnesses.

"I feel well enough in myself, but my bones are all breaking to bits! It doesn't faze me. I know it's just age. It's certainly a wonderful thing, especially to feel so good."