Pensioner, 94, is still using the same Christmas tree she bought SEVENTY years ago
A FESTIVE pensioner has been putting up the same Christmas tree for 70 YEARS.
Elsie Eve, 94, paid 21 shillings for the tree back in 1946 - £1.05 in today's money.
Do you have an even older Christmas tree? Call the news desk on 020 7782 4368 or email [email protected]
Miss Eve, who used to work in a handbag factory, has taken the artificial tree with her as she's moved around the country.
The pensioner, from Belton, Norfolk, has now become the "adopted granny" of her next door neighbours the Sheldon family.
She told them her of the much-loved tree as they decorated it together.
Born in London in 1922, just four years after the Great War ended, Elsie was the second eldest of six children to Lilian and William Eve.
Related Stories
She got a job as head machinist at a handbag factory in Queensbury, north London, in 1946.
After she bought the tree, her family, especially her younger sisters Doris and Joyce, quickly fell in love with it.
Ailsa Sheldon, Miss Eve's next door neighbour, said: "Every year they put the tree up.
"Her dad used to put it up from the cupboard.
"When her dad passed away and Elsie stayed with her mum and little dog the tree became Elsie's responsibility."
Miss Eve went to stay with her sister in Wales after retiring and ended up buying a bungalow for £35,000 and living there for three years.
She then moved to Northampton to be near her brother for three years before ending up by the east coast in Norfolk.
Ailsa added: "A few years ago we persuaded her to have her cataracts done on Christmas Eve as she was having difficulty reading but she was too scared to have an operation.
"My husband's an eye surgeon and so we knew she would get her drops put in if she spent Christmas Day with us.
"Since then she has visited for Christmas Day lunch each year and our boys, Toby and James, help her with her tree which they love because it is very unique.
"Elsie's very proud of her tree and now we've fallen in love with it as well!"