Party is just the ticket for Rita as she reaches 100

TRIBUTES have been paid to Rita Turnbull who has just celebrated her 100th birthday.

Born on January 8, 1911, Ms Turnbull was joined by her friends and family to celebrate the milestone birthday.

One of five children, Ms Turnbull spent almost all of her working life at the Scottish Motor Traction Company, which went on to form part of the First bus group.

On leaving school at 16, she got a job in the ticket office before moving on to be a typist, where she worked more than five days a week for just eight shillings. She continued to live with her parents in the Gorgie area throughout this time in order to help support her family.

She went on to become a booking agent for the bus company. After years of working for SMT, she was promoted to senior typist and had a spell as private secretary to the secretary of the SMT.

Once she left the bus company, Ms Turnbull went on to work for the tax office before calling it a day and retiring in 1971, after 44 years.

In the 1960s and 70s, Ms Turnbull and her sister Ella began travelling, and frequently went to Spain

In her latter years, the sisters both lived in sheltered housing until Ella passed away.

During the Second World War, Ms Turnbull was put on fire watch duty, where factories and businesses were required to employ people to watch for incendiary bombs and extinguish fires. Fire watchers were issued with a bucket of sand, a bucket of water and a stirrup pump. Friends and family say Ms Turnbull lived an active lifestyle right up to her 90s.

Up until she broke her hip a few years ago, she was a practitioner of Tai Chi and was known to meditate for half an hour every day. She was also a keen bowls player.

Her use of meditation, combined with the fact she has never smoked and rarely touches alcohol, has allowed her to stay in good health and have a positive outlook on life. She marked her big day by celebrating with friends and family at Guthrie house care home, in Liberton, where she enjoyed a small party organised by family and staff.

Ms Turnbull's sister-in-law, Elizabeth said: "We had a brilliant time. They pulled out all the stops for her. I'd like to thank all the staff at Guthrie house."

Residents were encouraged to join in the celebrations, and staff set up karaoke as Ms Turnbull indulged in a little Champagne. She is now awaiting a visit from her only son, Alan, who lives in Thailand and was unable to attend the party. On Friday afternoon, Ms Turnbull is also expected to be visited by Lord Provost, George Grubb.

Ms Turnbull has also received a telegram from the Queen to commemorate the milestone and everyone who knows her will be awaiting the day she receives her follow up on her 105th birthday.