Quickstep celebration for 98-year-old dancer
MHBG-14-03-13 Friday Follies Effie Grant turns 98 on Friday. She's a member of The Friday Follies and she still does the quick-step! Effie is pictured here with some cakes
A dance group’s oldest member celebrated her birthday with a quickstep, cupcakes and friends.
Essie Grant turned 98 last Friday and her friends at The Friday Follies decided to celebrate in style with a party for her at St Paul’s Church Hall in Warwick Road, Banbury.
About 20 members, all in their 70s and 80s, joined in the celebrations and they all took part in everything from a quickstep to a waltz.
The highlight of the afternoon was when Mrs Grant got to show off her dancing skills, performing a quickstep with her dance teacher – 85-year-old Joyce Over.
As the club’s oldest member, Mrs Grant has been there right from the start when Mrs Over started the club 30 years ago.
She said: “We all love it and it keeps you fit. I’ve always been a dancer and I’ve always been active – it has really been my life.
“I’ve danced all different kinds – ballroom, quickstep – almost every dance you can imagine, I’ve done it! But I think quickstep is my favourite.
“It keeps your mind going and I’ve also met loads of friends and Joyce still continues, she’s just marvellous and she never forgets anybody’s birthday.”
Mrs Grant worked as a nurse at a hospital in Norfolk, where she is originally from, but she moved to Banbury about 50 years ago when her late husband Jack got a job in the Alcan factory.
She has four children and 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She has pursued her hobby throughout the years and her teacher said she is still an excellent dancer. “I’m so proud of her,” said Mrs Over.
“She’s been with me all these years, and, well, they’re all just fantastic.”
Club member Dorothy McEvoy, 73, said everyone had helped out to make Mrs Grant’s big day a great success.
“This is not just a club, it’s like a family and everyone’s supporting each other,” she said.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Banbury
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
