A woman who celebrated her 105th birthday last month insists the secret to a long life and sharp mind come down to two things — and they’re simpler than many health gurus claim. 

Daisy Taylor, who was born in 1919, in Leytonstone, East London and has 25 great grandchildren admits she ‘never imagined’ she’d live as long as she has. 

But recalling her recent birthday party, she says: ‘I had a wonderful time, and I didn’t want it to end.’

Mrs Taylor left school at 14 and worked in machinery; had a stint in a soap factory; and later managed a bakery and several cafes.

At 19, she met her late husband, Ray, at an Electric Light Company social event.

The pair built a happy life together, raising three children, Pat, John and Jean, and sharing hobbies such as travelling, dancing, and attending theatre shows.

Mrs Taylor said: ‘I used to do the fox trot and quick step. I’ve always had a very active life.’

Ray sadly died in 1981, at age 61, but even now, having lived for more than a century, Mrs Taylor maintains a love for movement and fitness.

Daisy Taylor, who was born in 1919, in Leytonstone, East London and has 25 great grandchildren admits she ‘never imagined’ she’d live as long as she has

Mrs Taylor left school at 14 and worked in machinery; had a stint in a soap factory; and later managed a bakery and several cafes

Indeed, she credits daily two things, stretching — alongside ‘having fun’ — with her astonishing longevity. 

Mrs Taylor moved from her home in Stratford, in east London, into Care UK’s Manor Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex, in April 2022 — where she does weekly yoga and dance classes, on top of doing stretches every morning.

Her favourite pose is the standing half-moon pose as it gives her a ‘good stretch’.

She thinks yoga has improved her mind, quipping she has gotten ‘brainier’ in her older age.

At 105, Mrs Taylor is determined to ‘keep moving’ as she does not like ‘sitting in the chair too long’ and it allows her to enjoy her life and ‘see so many nice things’.

She added: ‘My secret is when you keep waking up every day, have fun.

‘I love talking to people, I like the little things, and I feel happy keeping busy. I certainly enjoy yoga to keep myself fit, and I do my exercises in the morning. 

‘I used to do yoga on the floor, on the carpet, but I mainly do it in my chair now.

Mrs Taylor moved from into Care UK’s Manor Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex, in April 2022 — where she does weekly yoga and dance classes, on top of doing stretches every morning

‘I can do it on the floor, but I’d need someone to watch me in case I need help getting up.’

Mrs Taylor’s favourite yoga pose is the standing half-moon pose, where she stands tall with her arms above her head, swaying them gently side to side.

She credits yoga with keeping her mind sharp, joking: ‘I think I’m getting brainier. I do crafts and painting too.’

Mrs Taylor’s passion for staying active has inspired her to encourage her family to exercise more.

Laughing, she said: ‘I’m telling my friends and family to exercise, but they won’t do it.

‘I’d tell people to straighten up, move your shoulders round and round. But take it easy to start with.

‘I don’t like sitting in the chair too long,’ she added. ‘I like having some fresh air. I definitely enjoy my life because it’s a nice life at the moment.

‘I love people, and I like living longer because I will see so many nice things.’

Mrs Taylor’s favourite yoga pose is the standing half-moon pose, where she stands tall with her arms above her head, swaying them gently side to side

In November the team at her care home threw her a Birthday party, complete with a specially made cake crafted by the home’s head chef.

Reaching this milestone age is something Mrs Taylor ‘absolutely never’ imagined, although longevity runs in her family.

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Her sister, who also lives in the care home, is 103, and their five other siblings all lived into their nineties.

‘I suppose it’s a good thing,’ Mrs Taylor explained. ‘When I wake up in the morning, I say, it’s another day, and get going.’

Mrs Taylor isn’t Britain’s oldest women, however — that title currently belongs to Ethel May Caterham, who celebrated her 115th birthday in August. 

Mrs Caterham is also now the oldest person in Europe and the fourth oldest in the world, following the death of the previous world’s oldest person Maria Branyas Morera, from Spain. at the age of 117. 

Her long life has taken in two world wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the first Moon landings, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and six different UK monarchs and survived Covid-19 in 2020.

When asked for her secret to longevity, Mrs Caterham said: ‘Never arguing with anyone. I listen and I do what I like!’