A glass of bubbly helps Peggy to mark 103 years

THE OLDEST user of a West Lothian day centre has celebrated her 103rd birthday by enjoying a glass of bubbly at a party with family and friends.

Peggy Munro marked the recent milestone with a party at Braid House Day Centre in Livingston, where she has been meeting up with friends and enjoying activities for the last decade.

Mrs Munro, who was the eldest of seven children, was brought up on Blackfriars Street and is a former pupil of St Anne's School in the Cowgate.

She worked as a bookbinder at the city's Nelson's bookbinders before marrying the late Theodore Munro at St Patrick's Church in the Cowgate on September 26, 1935.

Mrs Munro's daughter Sheila, whom she has lived with in Howden for around 15 years, said: "After my mum got married, she didn't work again because my dad didn't believe in it. In those days I think the men provided for their families."

The couple had two children, Sheila, 67, and Maureen, 64, four grandchildren, Fiona, 42, Gerald, 45, Mark, 40, and Laura, 29, and four great-grandchildren, Ashley, 21, Kayleigh, 18, George, 10, and Ryan, 6.

After marrying, Mr and Mrs Munro lived in various areas of Edinburgh including Carrick Knowe, Corstorphine, Sighthill and Broombank Terrace. Mrs Munro left her last home in Carrick Knowe to move in with Sheila around 1995.

Mr Munro worked as a baker, mainly in the city, with his first bakery job at Mackie's on Princes Street. He took early retirement from his job as a baker at the government buildings in Broomhouse around the age of 63. He died from lung cancer two weeks after his 65th birthday.

Mrs Munro, who uses a wheelchair, visits Braid House Day Centre every Wednesday and Friday, and also loves watching the Tattoo on television.

Assistant manager at the centre, John Close, 51, said Mrs Munro was known for her love of life.

"Peggy is an absolutely brilliant and lovely lady," he said. "She has got a lot of friends here and that's why - because she's a lovely and caring person.

"She has done all the activities at the centre in her time - crafts, quizzes, bowling, dancing and arts."

He added: "Peggy has a great sense of humour and loves spending time with her many friends here.

"We had a great party and she really enjoyed herself."

Mrs Munro is also a former secretary of St Patrick's Senior Citizens' Club.

Sheila said: "She has got a lovely nature, anything you do for her she'll say thank you. I like to look after her myself and wouldn't have it any other way. She said coming to stay with me was the best decision she has made.

"My mum loved her birthday party but she doesn't like a fuss. She likes to be nice and quiet."