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    Still the best of friends aged 102, the world's oldest living twins

    By Nicholas Petche | Yahoo! News – Tue, Feb 7, 2012

    Mark Twain was still alive and the South Pole had yet to be discovered when Edith Ritchie and Evelyn 'Evie' Middleton were born. Now, aged 102, the pair have been named as the world's oldest living twins.

    Edith Ritchie and Evelyn 'Evie' Middleton have been named as the world's oldest living twins.

    They were born on 15 November of that year on a farm near Newburgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Britain still had Edward VII as king and Florence Nightingale was still alive. Remarkably, despite their age, neither of the twins has ever left UK shores.

    Although not identical, their mother always dressed them exactly the same. After leaving school, they worked on farms before leaving to start their own families.

    Evelyn married William Middleton and had four children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

    Her sister Edith, married Nathaniel Ritchie and had four children, nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and three-great-great grandchildren.


    The sisters have remained close throughout their life and now live together at Bonnyton House care home in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

    When asked her secret to a long life, Edith says 'simple living, hard work and a good husband'.

    Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday said: 'They’re not just the oldest in the UK, they hold the world title. They’ve clearly benefitted from good genes, and a solid life-long friendship that only twins can truly understand.'
     
    • west by west
      west by west  •  Ilford, England  •  3 months ago
      What a lovely story for a change, hope they have many more years.
      • Stanley-Mathew
        Stanley-Mathew 3 months ago
        You must be mad. How crazy to wish 'em "many" more years? Wish them a few or just more years since no one knows when the "last second" comes. No one will live forever. It is absolutely a lovely and unique story. Wishing them "happy" more good times on earth.
      • Adel
        Adel 3 months ago
        Why look on the bad side Stanley? They could live for another 10 years or even 20! They look as though they are in good physical health, so who know... Wishing them many many more years of good life and health :)
      • Harris
        Harris 3 months ago
        Stanley, your an idiot! Let's hope these two wonderful ladies live an even longer life.
    • MICHAEL
      MICHAEL  •  Southampton, England  •  3 months ago
      BRILLIANT bit of news
    • Jimbo
      Jimbo  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      What a lovely story, good luck, good health and happiness to them both. Many congratulations.
    • Lizzie
      Lizzie  •  3 months ago
      Well done getting to such a grand old age. Go girls
      • Jennifer
        Jennifer 3 months ago
        I can not even begin to imagine living that long. Is it quite rare. They must have some stories to share.
      • Karyn
        Karyn 3 months ago
        I would love to have a really good talk with them about their lives, and all about the history of the world as they have grown from children to their young age now! They are truly blessed.
    • elliemh
      elliemh  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      Beautiful human interest story.....look at all these positive responses Yahoo. More of this and less of the celebrity clap trap please.
      • Francis Ohara
        Francis Ohara 3 months ago
        i thumbed you down,, just to be the first to thumb you down,,, iam sorry iam sad!!
      • ashley
        ashley 3 months ago
        Who let the troll on here?
      • Harris
        Harris 3 months ago
        I thumbed yo u down too, just to be the third one ;)
    • A Yahoo! User  •  Jersey, Channel Islands  •  3 months ago
      What a lovely story, I therefore join others in congratulating them and pray for sisters to witness more of good thing in their life time.
    • Kate
      Kate  •  Aberdare, Wales  •  3 months ago
      Awesome story...can't imagine the changes these 2 must have seen over their lives!
    • Rita
      Rita  •  Camberley, England  •  3 months ago
      Fantastic story congratulations ladies, you both look great!!!
    • R
      R  •  Madrid, Spain  •  3 months ago
      Crikey! Well done girls.
    • Rasputin
      Rasputin  •  Chesterfield, England  •  3 months ago
      Well done ladies and bless you both.
    • * ScottishGirl*
      * ScottishGirl*  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      Dont they look well for 102...well done Ladies. Lovely story...
    • JET
      JET  •  3 months ago
      Wow that's an amazing, lovely and an immensely interesting story. Congratulations on being the world's oldest twins....and hope they have many more years.
    • funky vixen
      funky vixen  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      Awww bless em.
    • DOMINIC
      DOMINIC  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      Well done girls carry on..........
    • Joseph
      Joseph  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      I'm a twin myself.....only another 75 years for me and my brother to go.....
      • Graham
        Graham 3 months ago
        Can't wait, I bet !
      • Lizzie
        Lizzie 3 months ago
        Well Joseph, I hope you and your twin make it and enjoy every minute getting there
      • Joseph
        Joseph 3 months ago
        Thank you Lizzie!!
    • Eva
      Eva  •  London, England  •  3 months ago
      really nice story cheered me up, after all the depressing news on television.
      • Lizzie
        Lizzie 3 months ago
        I agree nice story and such a change from depressing stories everywhere
      • Karyn
        Karyn 3 months ago
        You know what Friends, I am seeing so many wonderful messages on here for these two lovely ladies, so well deserved! Love and big hugs from all of us here on Yahoo!!!!!!!
    • Shuffle
      Shuffle  •  3 months ago
      What a lovely story... that's a heck of a life. They were my age in the mid 1930's. I can't believe that.

      What fascinating stories they must have and how different must the UK be to them now!
      I can't believe they have never left the UK either!

      Good luck to them... Lets hope they have many more happy years together.
    • Mabel
      Mabel  •  Edinburgh, Scotland  •  3 months ago
      They are two remarkable women I have had pleasure of knowing Edith Ritchie.
    • TEDDYCAT
      TEDDYCAT  •  Manchester, England  •  3 months ago
      Its lovely to see a 'news' article featuring real people rather than the fake, manfactured celebs that are all over the papers these days. Congratulations to Edith and Evie xx
    • gobbi2000
      gobbi2000  •  Hull, England  •  3 months ago
      We could all learn from Edith's formula for long life! Lazy toerags take note...
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