No sex is secret to long life, says 105-year-old Clara, Britain's oldest virginBy Luke Salkeld
Last updated at 1:50 AM on 10th October 2008
Just too busy: Clara Meadmore says sex seemed a 'hassle' and she's glad she did without it
Over the years many a centenarian has delivered their secret for a long life.
Not smoking, daily exercise, moderate drinking, being married (and sometimes not being married) have all had their champions.
But, at the ripe old age of 105, Clara Meadmore could trump the lot: a life of celibacy.
Miss Meadmore says she has always been too busy for relationships and thought of physical intimacy as a 'hassle'.
The former secretary, who will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, said she had no regrets about remaining a virgin and had turned down several marriage proposals.
Miss Meadmore said: 'People have asked whether I am a homosexual and the answer is no. I have just never been interested in or fancied having sex.
'I imagine there is a lot of hassle involved and I have always been busy doing other things. I've never had a boyfriend - I've never been bothered about relationships.'
She added: 'When I was a girl you only had sex with your husband - and I never married.
'I've always had lots of platonic friendships with men but never felt the need to go further than that or marry.
'Everything seems so fast these days. I don't know a lot about young people or the way they do things. I'm sure it's very different. I made my mind up at the age of 12 never to marry and I've not gone back on that.'
Miss Meadmore was born in Glasgow in 1903, two years after the death of Queen Victoria. She remembers hearing about the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and the outbreak of the First World War.
Sex is one of life's greatest pleasures/ past-times. Ah, imho.
