Astonishing Angus centenarian Catherine Smith has waltzed her way into her 107th year.
The remarkable lady was the toast of Dorward House in her home town of Montrose as she celebrated her 106th birthday on Tuesday.
But a cup of tea was the strongest tipple for former tango queen Cathy, who can still show fellow residents a thing or two when it comes to fancy steps and fitness.
The mother-of-five has never smoked or drunk alcohol.
And instead she has enjoyed a lifelong love of dancing and the gym.
Seven cards from The Queen
Cathy’s vim and vigour saw her pumping iron at the town’s sports centre right up until the pandemic struck.
As she opened her seventh congratulatory card from The Queen, Cathy said she couldn’t pin down the secret to her longevity.
But perhaps the occasional fish supper and a passion for ballroom dancing have helped play a part.
She retains a twinkle in her eye and has a smile which can light up a room.
“I really don’t know how I’ve managed to reach 106,” said Cathy.
“I like to do my exercises and my children are all in their 80s so maybe it’s just something about the family.
“And I loved my ballroom dancing – I won prizes when I was younger.
“The tango was my favourite.”
She added: “I’ve also been a glamorous gran when I went to Butlin’s with a friend.”
She was born Catherine Young in the village of Ferryden across the mouth of Montrose Basin from the Angus town.
After being schooled at Ferryden Primary and Montrose Academy, Cathy got work in the local mills at the age of 14.
She married her late husband Andrew when she was 18 and is a great-gran to 13, as well as a great-great gran.
“I honestly have no idea how many great-great grandchildren I have – I’ve lost count!” she said.
“My daughter still comes in and does my hair, and I like to wear my jewellery and look nice,” she added.
Charity volunteer
Cathy volunteered in Montrose’s Oxfam shop for around 30 years until she was in her 90s.
When she turned 105 last year, Cathy admitted the coronavirus situation had been “hellish”.
But she has enjoyed getting out and about again in the street of Montrose she knows so well.
And Dorward House’s Cycling Without Age scheme had helped renew her love of bikes.
“It was lovely, I really enjoyed it,” said Cathy.
Dorward House depute manager Lavine McMaster said: “Cathy is a huge character – she is just amazing.
“She made an immediate impression when she arrived here in June.
“Especially when she took the exercise class one day!
“She is a lovely lady and it is a pleasure to see her celebrate her 106th birthday.”
Life in 1916
Born into wartime Britain, baby Catherine arrived shortly after the last British troops were evacuated from Gallipoli following the bloody Constantinople campaign of the First World War.
George V was almost six years into his reign.
And it was a year which would see Robert Baden-Powell publish the handbook which led to the founding of the modern day Cub Scouts.
The 1916 Summer Olympics planned for Berlin were cancelled.
Cathy shared her birth year with P W Botha, the 9th president of South Africa, as well as former UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Canadian actor Glenn Ford.
But UK life expectancy around the time was only in the early 50s.
