A 105 not out, Marjorie Mason is undoubtedly Sheppey’s oldest person – someone who actually remembers the first days of aviation on the Island. As well as a happy outlook, one of her secrets of long life is a glass of wine each night, as Bel Austin finds out

Incredibly Marjorie reached her century five years ago and is in such good health, feels she could go on forever.

"The secret is being happy," she said. "Don't have negative thoughts, keep busy and the mind active - oh and have a glass of red wine every night."

Marjorie, twice widowed, lives alone, but is surrounded by family who pop in two or three times a day to help with shopping and chores.

However, she likes time to concentrate on television programmes like Countdown when she can pit her wits against the contestants. She also likes to work out whodunnits with her favourite Poirot or Barnabyin Midsomer Murders.

Granddaughter Caroline Dixon, who lives nearby in Minster, says her preferred reading is a good murder mystery.

Still enjoying a good memory, she recalls the first days of flight in Eastchurch.

She can remember going with her parents to join the hundreds of spectators excitedly watching the Wright brothers take off, and the cheers as they circled and landed safely again.

One of 11 children, with the exception of her sisters who lived into their 90s the others died young.

She has known sadness, mourning two husbands; the joy of bringing up two children Roger and Jill, and until the age of 90 enjoyed foreign travel. With the family she flew to visit her daughter in South Africa.

As a young woman she lived with her Army husband in Bermuda. Back home in Eastchurch, she and her second husband ran the little general stores in Church Road, Eastchurch, until retirement.

One of her first jobs before marriage was selling insurance and she covered a wide Island patch on a bike - greeting everyone she met along the way.

These days she takes things quietly,no longer baking, knitting or sewing, but is engrossed in solving crossword puzzles and , writing letters to family in South Africa and France.

She also likes to keep up to date with grandchildren - Kevin, Katy, Caroline and Michelle plus seven great grandchildren.

Although slightly deaf, she enjoys socialising the company of friends and flatly refuses "to let the armchair get me".

There was time for reminiscences when the family took her to the Playa at Minster for her 105th birthday celebrations on Valentine's Day, and as star guest, she insisted, as always, on her clothes being colour co-ordinated and hair neatly styled.

Still slim and sprightly, she's proud to be on absolutely no medication at all - except maybe that red wine nightly tipple.

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