Annan's Alexina’s secret to longevity

Aug 15 2008 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Friday

ANNAN resident Alexina Calvert, probably the oldest person in Scotland, celebrated her 110th birthday last Wednesday.

She was born on August 13, 1898 and now lives with her 85-year-old daughter Christine.

Alexina said: “When I was young I was always sick...To be such an age and in such good health — I’m amazed.

“I think I should give myself a medal!”

With a lifetime spanning three centuries, Alexina has experienced many major changes in the world.

The emergence of Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum physics drastically altered the world of science and our understanding of the world, while horses as the main form of transport and agricultural power were replaced by machinery and automobiles over a short space of time.

Alexina was born in Aberdeenshire and moved to Annan in 1946.

When asked about the secret to her long life, she said, with a twinkle in her eye: “That’s a secret — I’m not going to tell you!”

She then relented and advised: “Accept everything just as it comes.

“If it was a bad day and I had work to do, I’d try getting out of it and pile it it on to my sister!”