Surprise for super-fit line dancer on her 93rd birthday!

A super-fit grandma was given a nice surprise on her 93rd birthday during her weekly line dancing class at a leisure centre in Oldham. 

The remarkable Violet Walpole celebrated her birthday on Tuesday (1 September). 

She catches two buses from Middleton, where she lives, to the leisure centre - which takes about an hour. 

Violet, who has been attending the classes at Oldham Community Leisure Centre for around six years, was surprised by the OCL team with celebratory cupcakes and flowers. 

Violet said: "I love line dancing - the classes at OCL are a real hoot! Anyone can do it and everyone is welcome. I’ve always loved to dance. Dancing makes me so happy. I first started dancing back when I was a teenager and used to enjoy ballroom dancing. I don’t plan to stop dancing any time soon." 

Violet, who was a ‘cotton mill girl’ in her youth, was delighted with her birthday treats and was touched by everyone’s birthday best wishes.

She added: "I can’t believe that everyone remembered! I feel very special. Age is just a number. I don’t let it slow me down. I’m going to London to see my grandson to celebrate my birthday too. Being active and fit keeps me young. I’ve made lots of friends at OCL; you can’t help but enjoy the line dance class. The music, the dance routines, the fantastic instructor and the laughter. Everyone has a smile on their face!" 

Violet returned to her weekly line dance classes as soon at OCL reopened its doors in July.

"The leisure centre is very well organised and I feel really looked after and safe," she said. "During lockdown I stayed with my daughter-in-law, Tina. I was widowed 19 years ago and lost my son six years ago, and I’m very close with Tina.

"Family is very important to me. It was good to stay with Tina during lockdown, but as soon as restrictions lifted, I wanted to return home and get back to my line dancing. Having a schedule and getting out of the house is really important as we get older." 

Tina has been so impressed with Violet’s line dancing classes that she is thinking of coming along herself. So together they can get their dancing shoes on.

Violet concluded: "My strong faith is the secret of my long life. I also firmly believe it’s essential to keep active, to put your best ‘dancing’ foot forward and to stay positive." 

Stuart Lockwood, Chief Executive at OCL, said: "Happy Birthday to the ever-youthful Violet! She is an inspiration to us all. We were delighted to treat Violet for her birthday, she’s a wonderful dancer and proof that you are only as old as you feel. We should all try and be a bit more like Violet!"