'There's no secret': Meet the woman who has recently celebrated her 108th birthday
For most people, a birthday card from the King would be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion – but for one lady in particular, it is becoming something of a tradition.
Born on September 19, 1918 in Glasgow, Maisie Allison has lived through two world wars, worked for the British Army, raised a family and witnessed a century of change.
However, she insists there is no magic formula behind her remarkable longevity as she recently celebrated her 108th birthday.
“There's no secret,” Maisie, a resident at Abbeyfield House in Ballymoney, told the News Letter.
“I spent a lot of my life working and looking after people.
“I didn't drink and I certainly don't smoke any more after giving it up more than 40 years ago.
“I've always been in great health and I just keep going.
“I feel okay now but sometimes at night I think about what I could go back to… but I always think it's important to keep looking forward.
“When I use my mobility trolley, I can walk quite far but I’ve been warned by my family that if I walk by myself outside, then they will phone the police on me.”
During the Second World War, Maisie served with the Army’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she worked with the Royal Corps of Signals, intercepting messages sent in Morse code.
She also lived in the Isle of Man and was a manageress for a branch in the Co-operative, amongst other things, before moving to Northern Ireland to be taken care of.
Reflecting on those experiences, she said: “I spent some time training in Cardiff, so the Welsh taught us everything we knew in terms of Morse code.
“Thankfully, I didn’t see anything too bad and we all worked well together.
“After that, the mines were closing but there was an opportunity to move to Douglas [in the Isle of Man] as they were building new housing schemes.
“I was also a manageress and things like that, so I’ve certainly met a lot of people along the way.”
Family and faith have also been two important components of Maisie’s life but there have also been heartbreaking times along the way.
“My father lived well into his 90s and one of my aunts I think exceeded 100-years-old… but none of them beat me,” she grinned.
“My mum died of polio when she was very young at the age of 42, so I had to look after my wee brother. He is still alive and living in Glasgow at the age of 93.
“I have been blessed to have two children, but sadly, I have lost two husbands to cancer. One was throat cancer and the other was leukaemia, so there have been some tough times.
“I’m a member of the Salvation Army and Church of Scotland, so faith has always been a part of my life.”
Maisie has multiple birthday cards on display at the home.
However, her latest from His Majesty takes pride of place.
She smiled: “I appreciate all the cards I’ve received and I suppose I’m used to getting them now from the late Queen and now the King.
“The staff here are always nice to me.
“Throughout my life I’ve got on well with everyone… whether that’s at work or in different places I’ve lived.”