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Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 27, 2016 (SKNIS): Government officials, students, friends, family and members of the Saddlers community showered the Federation’s newest centenarian, Mr. Edward Bailey, with love during a day of birthday celebrations on Thursday.

 

Mr. Bailey was treated to presentations of songs and gift baskets by the Saddlers’ Centre of Love Pre- School, as well as the Saddlers’ Primary and Secondary Schools.

 

In brief remarks, Mrs. Anne Wigley, Deputy Director of Social Development, commended Mr. Bailey on his back yard garden, marveling at the fact that Mr. Bailey “ a gentle man at 100 is able to maintain such a garden, which you see is clean as a whistle.”

 

She said that Mr. Bailey’s connection with nature has helped to sustain him over the years.

 

Mr. Vernon Connor, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Development, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, and the Minister of State with responsibility for that ministry, the Honourable Wendy Phipps, spoke of fond childhood memories of Mr. Bailey.

 

“God has been good to you Mr. Bailey. We recognize that (reaching) 100 years is no easy accomplishment. I want to thank you Mr. Bailey for the example you have set over the years—your examples of hard work, of honesty and of being moral.”

 

Expressing gratitude to all who visited him in celebration of his birthday, Mr. Bailey said he was thankful to God for giving him life.

 

Mr. Bailey admonished the children to be respectful.

 

“I am begging you to obey your teachers. Many times your teachers come here and tell me that some of you are not behaving yourselves. I want to explain to you that when you go to school it is the teacher who is responsible for you. Obey your teachers. I am begging you by the grace of God.”

 

Mr. Edward Bailey was born in Saddlers Village on May 26, 1916. He has been married three times.