Ginger Jiver's stretched-out week of 80th birthday partying

Audrey Patterson, officially an octogenarian on January 7, said she was surprised to be presented with a birthday cake during last Tuesday’s dance FitSteps class, run by Luci and Kerrin Osmond, of Ginger Jive, Thatcham, at the Catholic Hall, Bath Road.
“I was shocked when Luci got on stage and said ‘We have a special birthday here tonight’,” said Mrs Patterson, who also received a birthday card signed by the entire class.
The presentation provided a pause for breath during a week of celebrations by Mrs Patterson, including an open house at her Newbury home, a 70-strong party at Document House, Newbury, a trip to London to see a West End show, followed by cocktails at the Savoy, then another party at home.
Mrs Patterson said: “We had five bottles of Prosecco and nibbles left over.”
In between the partying, Mrs Patterson, who has two sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, also fitted in a tap and FitSteps class.
Ginger Jive were seeking six men to join a free- of-charge, modern jive masterclass for absolute beginners at the Catholic Hall, held Sunday January 25, from 2pm to 4pm.
An additional weekly FitSteps class started last week, to be held each Thursday at 8.15pm at the Catholic Hall, ie in addition to the 8pm Tuesday FitSteps class.
For more details telephone (01635) 877 253.