North-east twins mark their 100th birthdays

NORTH-EAST twins received messages from the Queen to mark their centenaries at the weekend.

Sisters Edith Ritchie, of Ellon, and Evelyn Smith, of Cruden Bay, reached 100 years yesterday. Mrs Ritchie marked the milestone surrounded by four generations of her family at Modley House at Ellon. She celebrated her birthday separately from her sister, but said they still spoke regularly.

Mrs Ritchie was born near Ellon and attended a number of schools in the area, leaving education when she was 13 to be a farm worker.

She met future husband Nathaniel at a dance at Ellon and they married in 1929.

The couple had four children together, but Mrs Ritchie’s family has expanded to include nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 21 great-great grandchildren and three great-great-great grandchildren.

Mrs Ritchie’s daughter, Edith Cowe, 80, of Beechwood Place, Ellon, said: “Nothing much interests her except her family.”