Centenary celebration – Family and friends toast Eve Bunting

Published: 26 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

FIVE generations of family gathered in Kentish Town to celebrate Eve Bunting’s 100th birthday on Friday.

And relatives were joined by residents of the Denton estate in Malden Road – where Eve has lived for  almost 40 years – to celebrate the momentous occasion with cake, cards and the customary correspondence from the Queen.

Asked for the secret of long life, the sprightly centenarian, who still lives alone, said: “I’ve had no choice!” 

Born in Portsmouth, Ms Bunting, who was named Florence after Florence Nightingale, moved to live in an orphanage in Fitzjohn’s Avenue following the death of her mother. 

She recalls starting school: “I told the teacher my name was Florence but it was such a popular name at that time there were several Florences in the class. She said: ‘No, no, not another one,’ and asked me what my middle name was. 

“I’ve been known as Eve ever since.”

As a 16-year-old she went into service as a maid in a doctor’s house in Golders Green, before meeting her husband Bernard Grey, who worked on the railways. The pair moved to Alma Street, in Kentish Town, and Ms Bunting began working as a cook for Camden Council – where she became known for her bread and butter puddings. 

She said: “When I got the job they said I was to be in charge of sweets. They told me I had to make a bread and butter pudding with dried egg powder instead of eggs. I told them that was impos­sible, but I proved myself wrong when I did it. My puddings were so good no one could taste the difference.”