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Centenarian says playing Bridge and getting exercise are the secrets to her long life

Get out of the way youngsters: Clarice Lindley enjoys being behind the wheel of a tractor at the Arboretum in Devonshire, on Saturday while celebrating her 100th birthday, with the help of family and friends. Mrs. Lindley's husband, Captain Ronald Lindley was the master of the four-masted schooner Katherine May on it's run between Bermuda and Canada and she served on it's crew.

She lived through both World Wars and remembers Bermuda when the main form of transport was the train.

Clarice Lindley turned 100 on Saturday.

Her birthday plans were few but as one might expect, she received many well wishes from friends and acquaintances made over the years.

"It is going to take me a week to read all of my birthday cards," she joked.

However, she told this newspaper a highlight would be the arrival of a letter from Queen Elizabeth acknowledging her birthday.

Her Majesty traditionally sends a greeting to citizens of countries in which she is head of state, in their 100th year.

In anticipation of her event, Mrs. Lindley prepared as many women would with a pampering at the hairdresser's.

Because it was her 100th birthday, Tangles Hair salon gave her a trim and a style on the house.

Mrs. Lindley was born in the United Kingdom, in 1910 but moved to Bermuda, where she lived until she was two or three.

When First World War broke out her family moved to Canada, where her father enlisted in the military.

In 1921, after the war the family returned to Bermuda.

Mrs. Lindley attended the Bermuda High School for Girls and says that, as far as she knows, she is the last living member of her graduating class.

She has early memories of the Island, as a pristine, cedar tree-covered paradise.

"I am so very fortunate," said the centenarian. "I am very agile and sharp for my age.

"I play a lot of bridge and stay active by walking and exercising regularly. I can say that I have lived so long by keeping my body and brain active and being positive."

Mrs. Lindley's late husband, Captain Ronald Lindley, captained the Katherine May, a schooner that sailed between Bermuda and Canada.

Clarice Lindley enjoyed Saturday at the Arboretum while celebrating her 100th birthday, with the help of family and friends.