SPRIGHTLY centenarians enjoyed a singalong and a dance at a party to celebrate their longevity.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, hosts the annual event, inviting residents aged 100 years and older to attend.

The 11th hosting of the party took place this month at Nazareth House in London Road, Southend.

The afternoon of fun included a singalong to old war songs, a number of hits played by the excellent Salvation Army band, and even a few dances by some of the centenarians.

David Stanley, founder of the Music Man Project, and colleague Jenny Hitchcock wrote a special song for the occasion, entitled Now I’m Past 100, as a tribute to those present while the talented singers Elizabeth Upsher and Elizabeth Dunlop performed during the afternoon.

At this year's event there were 15 centenarians in attendance, the oldest of which was Second World War veteran William Webb, who is 105 years old.

Sir David was also delighted to welcome Southend councillors including the town's mayor, Judith McMahon, and a number of dignitaries from the surrounding area.

Volunteers for the tea party included representatives of Leigh Lions, Southend Round Table and Westcliff High School for Boys, with transportation provided by AC Taxis.

Sir David is already planning for next year's event and believes the party is a great way for people aged 100 years old and even older to meet and discuss their experiences and lives.

He said: "The party was a great success.

"I have been doing this for a few years now."

The event came about partly as Sir David saw an opportunity to celebrate people of a more senior age, in contrast to the high number of christenings he was invited to while he was MP for Basildon in the Nineties.

He added: "The party guests all discussed about the parts they played in the war and things like that. We had a microphone so they could speak to the group and all be heard."

Florence Barringer, 101, from Leigh, said a happy marriage helps to keep people young. 
She added: “I grew up in Dagenham and then we moved to Ilford in 1944. My mother was from Dagenham and my father lived near Stansted. 
“I had two brothers when I was growing up, both are dead now. I married my late husband in 1944 and he died in 1984. 
“I was in the army, I was part of The Auxiliary Territorial Service, which was the women’s branch of the British Army during the Second World War. 
“I was based in London and I used to do secretarial work and arrange for people to get paid and things like that. 
“The tea party with Sir David Amess was lovely and I have been before. He came around with a big microphone and asked me to speak but I didn’t want to. Looking back now perhaps I should have spoken to the other party guests about my experiences and role in the war.”

William Webb, 105, from Leigh, said: “I was born in the East End of London. My family had a business in Shoreditch selling furniture. 
“I was in the forces and I travelled all around the world. I started in Hampshire and then went on to Scotland and then Africa, Italy, Greece and Crete. 
“I was with the air ambulance looking after people for some time. When I came back from the forces the family business has burnt down in a big fire. 
“I have lived in my current home for 30 years. People ask me about my secrets to living a long life and I don’t really have any. 
“All that I can think of is that my sisters and I have never eaten red meat and we all lived to a very old age. 
“I enjoyed the tea party and I was very pleased to see Sir David Amess as I had not met him before.”

Gertie Denenberg, 100, from Westcliff, said: “I wrote my life story for a competition more than ten years ago now, it was to do with Age Concern. 
“It was all about my youth and where I grew up and things like that. I lived in the East End of London when I was a youngster and I was part of a large family. 
“There were 11 children and our parents were Jewish immigrants. I had a lovely and enjoyable childhood. 
“The book was made by a private publisher but there was such interest in it that I could have sold lots of copies. 
“My grandson arranged the book publication for my 100th birthday. My family also made the book into a film, with different family members playing other much older family members. 
“I think my grandson played my husband. People ask me what the secret to old age is and I think it’s having a family and the love from that family.”