Inspiring Sutton resident waltzes into 100 years of being active

The Phoenix Centre in Sutton is celebrating one of its most inspiring members, Mrs Violet “Vi” Conroy, who has just turned 100 and is still taking to the dance floor every week.

Managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Sutton Council, the centre hosts weekly Tea Dance sessions which blend ballroom, sequence, and Latin styles with a friendly, community atmosphere.

Vi, who began dancing at the age of 16, is a regular at the sessions and attributes her health and happiness to staying active.

Born in Lambeth in 1925, Vi is the youngest of seven children and has lived in Coulsdon since 1951 and says dancing has been her lifelong passion.

Vi said: “When I’m on the dance floor, I don’t feel a day over 30. At 100 years old, I still find such joy in ballroom dancing at The Phoenix Centre. Every step takes me back to a time when music filled the air and life moved with grace. It keeps my spirit young.”

Vi’s milestone birthday was marked during a special Tea Dance over the summer, complete with balloons, cake, and plenty of dancing, organised by class instructor Heather.

Heather, who has led the sessions since 2011, said: “Vi is a wonderfully elegant lady, always smartly dressed and wearing dance shoes. She’s an example to us all that age is just a number. Staying active and happy is the secret to longevity, and for us, that means dancing.”

The Phoenix Centre’s Tea Dance runs every Thursday from 1:30 to 3:30pm and welcomes dancers of all abilities. Sessions feature a variety of styles, from Foxtrot and Quickstep to Rumba, Waltz, and Samba, followed by tea, coffee, and cake.

Roland Lobo, General Manager at Everyone Active, said: “Vi’s energy, elegance, and love for life are truly inspiring. She’s a shining example of how staying active and connected can bring joy at any age and has become the Dancing Queen of our centre.

“We’re honoured to celebrate her incredible milestone and proud that The Phoenix Centre continues to be a place where people can share their passions, make friends, and keep moving – at any age or ability.”

Councillor Christopher Woolmer, Lead member for Culture and Leisure, said: "It's truly inspiring to see Vi celebrating her 100th birthday with so much energy and joy. Her lifelong passion for dancing, and her commitment to staying active, perfectly illustrates the link between physical activity and long-term health and happiness.

“On behalf of Sutton Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Vi. Her story is a wonderful example of how our local leisure centres, like The Phoenix Centre, are so much more than just places to exercise, they are vibrant hubs of friendship, passion, and wellbeing."

For more information about the Tea Dance or The Phoenix Centre’s activities, call 020 8773 6060 or visit: The Phoenix Centre | Gym & Fitness Classes | Everyone Active