Double century in Dorset
One of the UK’s longest living pairs of twins, and possibly the oldest identical pair, have celebrated their 100th birthdays in style at a Dorset care home.
Sisters Nora ‘Joan’ Barter and Margaret Joyce ‘Peggy’ Barter are thought to be among only four sets of twin centenarians in the whole country and are almost certainly the oldest identical twins in the south of England.
In matching tiaras, blue dresses and glittering gold sashes proclaiming ‘100 & Fabulous’, they were naturally the joint centre of attention at their birthday party in Colten Care’s Poole home The Aldbury.
Guests included Robin Ponting, grandson of the twins’ cousin Doris Ponting whose life was further proof of the family’s longevity. Born in 1898, Doris died aged 106 in 2004 having lived in three centuries.
In a speech at the party, Robin said: “Although Joan and Peggy have lived some distance from us, they have always been close family and we saw them frequently on visits. They have always looked after each other. There is something so very special about them, a deep, lifelong bond and an understanding that you could read as telepathic.
“As they’ve steadily grown more and more frail in old age, family members and carers have seen how if one is faltering in a conversation, the other will step in to help continue it. If Peggy is not feeling so well, Joan will help out as the stronger one and vice versa. We’ve seen this kind of role reversal on many occasions.”
Melissa Siat of The Aldbury companionship team said: “When we asked the twins how they would like to celebrate their birthdays, Peggy said ‘It would be nice to have some of our relatives around and have a piano concert, Joan didn’t say anything but Peggy knew that her twin sister loves listening to piano music as she used to play and teach the piano.”
As a birthday surprise, Melissa and colleagues arranged for piano tuner Jonathan Pope to make sure The Aldbury’s lounge piano was in tiptop shape and invited professional musician Caroline Pugh to come and play at the party.
Amid disco lights, banners, balloons and old photos, Pugh performed hits from the 1950s and 60s including a selection of the twins’ favourites.
