One of the UK’s oldest women is planning to celebrate her 102nd birthday with a tea party – and credits her longevity to ‘sunshine and dancing’. <br /><br />Dinkie Flowers, 101, credits her health and longevity to dancing and says everyone should do it. <br /><br />The mum-of-one, who will be celebrating her 102nd birthday on 7 May, was born in 1921, just three years after the end of the first world war. <br /><br />She has lived through an incredible 21 prime ministers and when she was born, George V was on the throne - meaning she's lived through the reign of five monarchs. <br /><br />Dinkie hopes to raise money for local charity The Gateway Hub who provide support to the local community and is looking forward to a tea party organised by carer Lesley. <br /><br />And Dinkie says she might even bust out some moves on the big day. <br /><br />Dinkie said: “Dancing has helped keep my healthy, everyone should do something, they shouldn’t be on their bottom all day. <br /><br />“I’ll do a little bit of dancing, I can’t stop dancing you see – if my friends would like to dance, they can join in, but they might feel a bit stupid as it’s not just ordinary dancing, you have to know what you’re doing. <br /><br />“I recommend dancing and moving to stay fit and healthy, not sitting down all day, I couldn’t do that - dancing keeps you alive and dancing and being in the sun makes me happy.” <br /><br />Dinkie is a former pro-dancer and was the first British acrobatic skater – and has travelled the world demonstrating her incredible skills, including performing in Baghdad and in front of Prince Phillip. <br /><br />She’s previously said that she won’t stop dancing until ‘they take me away in a box’. <br /><br />Looking ahead to her 102nd birthday, Dinkie said she was ‘looking forward to it as much as she can be’. <br /><br />“Dancing is my life, I love it,” said Dinkie. “I’m raising the money for charity because it’s a local charity and I like to do it.” <br /><br />Lesley, Dinkie’s carer said: “Last year I did a huge party for her birthday so this year it will be a bit more lowkey again. <br /><br />“It will be a few friends around and afternoon tea in the garden - we do it properly, we’re going to get the china out and dress the table, do it really nicely. <br /><br />“We'll be doing the typical sandwiches like if you go to the Ritz for afternoon tea - cucumber sandwiches with crusts cut off, scones, cream cakes, all done in the afternoon tea style with china cups and proper tea. <br /><br />“A little bit of music and some family and friends but people tend to drop in cards and things for her. <br /><br />“She's known very well around Shoreham, she's taught generations around here and people have danced with her for years.” <br /><br />More information about Dinkie's fundraising efforts can be found here: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dinkie-flowers
