Dancers trip the light fantastic

YOUNG dancers have been proving that Wigan’s ‘got talent’, with their hard work and creative flair starring in their own show for the town’s older community at the Belong care village.

Twisting, twirling and tapping their way to impress their ‘judges’, the twinkle toes, aged three upwards, displayed an array of ballet, modern, and contemporary routines before finding themselves on the receiving end of rousing applause from their audience. Later, they enjoyed a glimpse of fame, signing autographs and taking questions at the aftershow party.

Sophie Walls, area manager at Belong at Home Wigan, said: “Our customers thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“It’s our job to offer them a helping hand in their homes and facilitate enjoyable experiences and this time, it’s thanks to the children and their beautiful, confident performancesthey were superstars.

“We’re pleased to host this community get together and help the performers grow their confidence; our customers loved offering their own advice and memories of their dance days. I’d say it was golden buzzers all round for our guests.”

Community support workers from Belong at Home, which provides a domiciliary care service to people in the wider community, as well as those living in the village’s independent living apartments, invited the talent from KAM Performing Arts Academy to entertain customers with the unforgettable experience.

The Aldbury’s Café had been specially decorated for the party with hearts, flowers and photographs taken at the couple’s wedding and during their many happy years together.

The festivities started with the reading of a congratulatory telegram from King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla and was followed by a special lunch, presents, music and laughter.

Bill and Val met when he asked her to dance. He later walked her home and revealed he had just joined the Royal Navy, before asking if she would write to him.

Val thought Bill must be older than her, as he was in the Navy, so she lied to him about her age and aqreed to write.

Bill had several long postings, up to two-and-a-half years long, but they continued to write and still have their letters.

During one shore leave they decided to get married and tied the knot on March 31, 1951 at Saint Saviours Church in Hull.

They moved about the country

They had many happy holidays in Malta, France, Spain and the Greek Islands, always wishing to be close to the sea. They also had a little sailing boat at Poole Harbour.

Over the years they have shared many interests including music and have supported Poole and Parkstone Singers, where they have many friends.

Bill was also a keen sportsman, playing squash well into his eighties, and being the oldest squash champion in Poole.

Bill, now 94 and Val, 92, have lived at The Aldbury since December 2022.

They have six grandchildren: Becky, Neil, Claire, Charlotte, Hannah and Joe. And nine great-grandchildren: Connor, Dylan, Fin, Tom, Jack, Millie, Tarna and Xander.

The youngest addition RalphieGeorge was just 14 weeks old at the time of their anniversary.

Lunch was prepared by the home’s chef Izabela Turczyn-Kuzma, who also baked a pink anniversary cake. In the afternoon the Viva Voce choir visited.

The secret to a long life is the occasional glass of red wine, according to 105-yearold Merseyside care home resident Winnifred Kennan. The centenarian celebrates her birthday with her favourite tipple every year at Aaron Grange in Huyton with Roby. Having moved to the care home in October 2017, she has marked all five of her post-century birthdays with a big bash organised by staff. This year was no different,as the care home was decorated with balloons and bunting, a buffet lunch was provided, and Win danced away to music from her favourite singer, Dame Vera Lynn. She was joined by her family, friends, and fellow residents for the celebration, when she also opened her fifth card from Buckingham Palace.