NOT many of us expect to see 100 Christmases.

But Johnstone woman Annie Barker has been marking a century of festivities by celebrating her 100th birthday on Christmas Eve.

Born in 1919, Annie came into the world a year after the end of the First World War and lived and worked through the Second World War.

No fewer than 25 prime ministers have occupied Downing Street since her birth.

The Gazette: David Lloyd George was Prime Minister on the day Annie was born David Lloyd George was Prime Minister on the day Annie was born

And, having lived in Johnstone her entire life, she has seen the town undergo widespread change over the decades.

As for the secret to reaching the grand old age of 100, Annie believes staying active and eating “good food” are key.

“It’s not any different really, being 100,” she told The Gazette. “I just keep carrying on.

“I eat good, proper food. I often have porridge in the morning. I do also enjoy a good fish supper from time to time.

“I suppose I’ve stayed active for a long time too. I loved the garden in my retirement and I went sequence dancing until I was 90.

“I went over to New Zealand to see my sister in my 90s as well. It’s a long way but, if you want to see people, you do it.”

Annie had many jobs throughout her working life, including a stint at the Dent and Johnson factory, in Linwood, where she helped to make compasses for Spitfires during the Second World War.

This is where, in 1943, she met her husband-to-be Ronald.

He was Annie’s supervisor and she admits their marriage, which lasted more than 40 years before Ronald sadly passed away, carried on in much the same vein.

Ronald and Annie had three children together – Ronald junior, Christine and the late Allan – and she was also thrilled to become grandmother to another Ronald.

The Gazette: Annie has seen four monarchs on the throne, the first King George V Annie has seen four monarchs on the throne, the first King George V

Marion Barker, Annie’s daughter-in-law, said: “I would describe her as a very determined character, which is probably how she has stuck around for so long.

“She knows a lot about Johnstone.”

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