“Porridge every morning” is the secret to living a long life, according to Glasgow centenarian

 

A resident at a care home in Glasgow shared valuable life advice as she toasted to her newly minted centenarian status.

Margaret Cameron celebrated her 100^th birthday in style at Care UK’s Cathkin House, on Glasgow Road, and attributed her impressive longevity to “dancing and porridge for breakfast every morning”. She added that the secret to long life is “happiness and having a good family.”

Born in the east end of Glasgow on 25^th January 1925, Margaret grew up with her parents, Janet and William, and her five sisters. Margaret went on to marry her sweetheart Bill Cameron on 26^th December 1947, and the happy couple had five children together: Billy, Ronnie, Craig, Margaret, and Stephen, raising them in Bridgeton, before moving to Cranhill in Glasgow.

During World War II, Margaret worked in the NAAFI and was stationed in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Following the war, her career saw her work in the accounts department of McKellar Watts, a Scottish sausage manufacturing company in Shettleston, which she loved.

Margaret retired at the age of 58, and two years later she joined a sequence dance club in East Kilbride at the Red Deer Community Centre. Margaret enjoyed dancing every week for thirty years and became the club’s registrar and a member of the committee.

In her free time, Margaret enjoys watching pantomimes, films in the cinema and musicals with her family.

On the big day, the team at Cathkin House hosted a special party for Margaret and her family and friends, complete with a spectacular birthday cake.

Commenting on turning 100, Margaret said: “The best part of the day was seeing my great, great grandchildren. I feel great and I don’t feel 100 – I still feel so young!”

Sharing her advice for the younger generation, Margaret said: “Don’t get into debt!”

Nisha Sujeewon, Home Manager at Cathkin House, said: “It was an honour to celebrate Margaret’s birthday with her friends and family. She is a beloved resident at Cathkin House, and we all had a wonderful time celebrating this tremendous milestone.

“Everything we do centres around supporting residents to live happy and fulfilling lives, which is why we are always eager to mark special occasions. Margaret’s 100^th birthday was no exception, and it was a delight to hear her advice for living a long and happy life. Let’s all raise a glass to Margaret.”

Cathkin House provides full-time dementia and nursing care, and has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including its own café and hair and beauty salon.