The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Manette Baillie, 102, accepts her Oldie Flying Angel of The Year award

Manette Baillie, Oldie Flying Angel of the Year By Harry Mount This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver. At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 13,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk. Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do were nothing new to Manette, of Benhall, Suffolk. “It was a bit scary. I must admit I just shut my eyes firmly – very firmly,” she said of the jump, which raised £30,000 for the Benhall Village Social Club, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and East Anglia Air Ambulance. Just days before her jump, Manette got a personal message from the Prince of Wales on her 102nd birthday, wishing her a happy birthday and saying he and the Princess of Wales would be thinking of her during her mighty leap into the unknown. The Prince of Wales said of the charities she was helping, ‘They are tremendous organisations who help so many people. From my time with East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.’ Manette, who was married to a paratrooper, is no stranger to adventure. On her 100th birthday, she zoomed round Silverstone in a Ferrari at 130mph. ‘The Air Ambulance,’ Manette explained, ‘is close to my heart because a helicopter saved my son’s life on the Isle of Wight after a diving accident in 1969. Even now, every Saturday, I hold a coffee morning at my cottage with everyone chipping in to donate money.” She chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association because her great niece suffers from the condition. Manette said of the Benhall & Sternfield Village Social Club, ‘I want to help do it up for the next generation. It started as a rickety tin hut for those coming home from the First World War. No doubt there’ll be more wars and young people will need a place to gather.’ Manette had planned a small party to celebrate her 102nd birthday but she then heard of a friend’s father who skydived at 85. She says, ‘If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I.’ Manette, who holds gatherings at her cottage and challenges visitors to games, added, ‘Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. Oh, and don’t forget to party!’ By the way, her gin mornings are legendary throughout Suffolk. This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver. At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 7,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk. Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do were nothing new to Manette of Benhall, Suffolk. “It was a bit scary. I must admit I just shut my eyes firmly – very firmly,” she said of the jump, which raised £30,000 for the Benhall Village Social Club, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and East Anglia Air Ambulance. Just days before her jump, Manette got a personal message from the Prince of Wales on her 102nd birthday, wishing her a happy birthday and saying he and the Princess of Wales would be thinking of her during her mighty leap into the unknown. The Prince of Wales said of the charities she was helping, ‘They are tremendous organisations who help so many people. From my time with East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.’ Manette, who was married to a paratrooper, is no stranger to adventure. On her 100th birthday, she zoomed round Silverstone in a Ferrari at 130mph. ‘The Air Ambulance,’ Manette explained, ‘is close to my heart because a helicopter saved my son’s life on the Isle of Wight after a diving accident in 1969. Even now, every Saturday, I hold a coffee morning at my cottage with everyone chipping in to donate money.” She chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association because her great niece suffers from the condition. Manette said of the Benhall & Sternfield Village Social Club, ‘I want to help do it up for the next generation. It started as a rickety tin hut for those coming home from the First World War. No doubt there’ll be more wars and young people will need a place to gather.’ Manette had planned a small party to celebrate her 102nd birthday but she then heard of a friend’s father who skydived at 85. She says, ‘If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I.’ Manette, who holds gatherings at her cottage and challenges visitors to games, added, ‘Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. Oh, and don’t forget to party!’ By the way, her gin mornings are legendary throughout Suffolk.