Friends and family help Meg mark 100th bash

A GREAT-grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday by having a party with family and friends.

Margaret Greig marked her centenary year at Highbank Care Home in Eskbank, where she has been a resident for six years.

Mrs Greig, who was born on June 22 1910, received a special visit from Depute Lord Lieutenant David Bowes-Lyon and Provost Adam Montgomery at her party, who presented her with a commemorative telegram from the Queen.

Along with fellow residents and staff, Mrs Greig enjoyed a mixture of music, including modern and traditional Scottish songs, as well as entertainment in the form of a magician and a singer.

Mrs Greig, known as Meg, was showered with gifts to mark her special birthday, with her favourite present being a freshwater pearl necklace from staff at the home. She has two sons, and was also joined by two of her great-grandchildren at the party.

Highbank manager, Adrian Fleming, 45, said: "She usually drinks lemonade but at her party she had a wee sherry. She doesn't drink very often, which is maybe the secret of her success. She thoroughly enjoyed herself. The residents got her flowers, sweeties and lots of different things."

Mrs Greig, who has lived in Midlothian all her life, spent many years in Gorebridge before moving to the home in June 2004. Mr Fleming added: "She has been here for that long, she's in with the bricks. The staff are all very fond of her, she's a firm favourite and a very nice lady."

Stephen James Wilson MBE, a deaf communicator and president of the Donaldsonian Association, has died at the age of 68.

Mr Wilson was a bilingual patriot, fluent in English and in his native sign language.

He loved all things Scottish and, inspired by Burns, he was a talented writer and poet, an active participant on the editorial team of Deaf History Review.

Among his many writings, his vivid poem, breathing life into Edinburgh's renowned deaf artist Walter Geikie, is noteworthy but could be better appreciated by those who saw him present it in sign at the Geikie memorial in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

His last moving tribute was to his "Auld Scots Mum", who was educated at the Edinburgh Royal Institution on Henderson Row and was an early leader of the deaf community of Scotland in her own right.

Mr Wilson was proud of his descent from the notable deaf branch of Clan Stirling.

He acquired a variety of skills including kilt-making and world-class folk-dancing.

He was invested as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, receiving the honour at Holyrood Palace in January 2002.

He was also resident of The Donaldsonian Association in the Founder's Day service at James Donaldson's old church of St. John's in the west end of Edinburgh.

Mr Wilson passed away in Glasgow on 30 June.