YOUNG AT 109.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1913, Page 3

YOUNG AT 109.

ENGLAND'S OLDEST WOMAN

Mrs Rebecca Clark, of High-road, Wood Green, who is believed to be the oldest woman in England, celebrated her 109 th birthday the other day. A fine-looking old lady, with sight and hearing unimpaired, she still preserves in marked degree many of the attributes of youth

Congratulations from all parts of the country poured in to Mrs Clark, who had been looking forward with almost girlish joy to her 'birthday. A great event this year had been the gift of a Parisian bonnet, for to the soft impeachment of decorous feminine vanity Mrs Clark cheerfully pleads guilty. Indeed, her unerring judgment in matters affecting the intricacies of female adornment and her immediate detection of imitations have gained for her the very wholesome respect of milliners and modistes.

Despite an attack of bronchitis during the winter, which only her magnificent constitution enabled her to withstand, Mrs Clark is still the perfect centenarian. The recipe for a bright and ripe old age,, which she gave to a Press representative on her birthday, was: "Work hard and eat well; go to bed early, and get out betimes."

She still abides by these golden rules. The other morning she was down to breakfast shortly after ten, and made a hearty meal, consisting of eggs, bread and butter, and several cups of tea, and for her midday meal she had cold meat and salad, new potatoes, stewed fruit and custard, with tea and bread.

Mrs Clark expresses contempt for coffee and cocoa. "Give me the good old English fare,' she says, "and to the marines with your modern concoctions." She retires to rest at 8 o'clock each evening.

On a Saturday the approaching birthday was celebrated with a gathering at which five generations were represented, the youngest member of the party, which includd a daughter of seventy-six, being Mrs Clark's great-great-grandchild aged five months.

Mrs Clark still sings a little song, but despite the earnest entreaties of her friends, she declined to sing a birthday song. The old lady has never been in a motor-bus, and only once in a tramcar. but she enjoys an occasional trip by motor car.