102 years in one house

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 2

102 years in one house

PA Nelson Miss Eve Baigent was born in her family's homestead, Faireholm, in east Takaka, 102 years ago yesterday. She. celebrated the occasion with relatives and close friends yesterday. The homestead took on a festive appearance with the smell of roast turkey in the air, table arrangements, and a stream of telegrams and flowers. Miss Baigent is still spritely, and is able to make her way around the home. She admits failing eyesight, but she can still watch television.

She is probably the only New Zealander to have spent 102 years living in one house. She spends many hours cooking, embroidering, and crocheting. Her “long life” secret is a simple recipe of early nights (in bed by 7 p.m. and up at 7 a.m.), quiet

living, wholesome food, and a tranquil environment. Occasionally, Miss Baigent is driven to Takaka in her mint 1936 Chrysler, by a niece, Sue Baigent. The car has. travelled only 120,000 km in 46 years, barely a quarter of the distance that an average motorist would have driven in that time. While her companion and helper for more than 30 years, Mrs Amy Haines, aged 91, was on holiday in Nelson and Christchurch recently, Miss Baigent spent some time at the Collingwood Geriatric Hospital. She enjoyed the experience and praised the staff for the attention that she received, and for the good meals. She said that most of the patients were not very active, though. When Mrs Haines, whose ninety-second birthday is on June 16, returned, Miss Baigent went home.