Mayor Una O’Halloran with Nathan Norteyuna, and Gertrude and Fidelis Descartes

A DAY care centre for elderly people celebrated its birthday by hosting a party with live music and dancing last Friday.

Dozens of regular users joined the celebrations at the council-owned Alsen Day Centre in Durham Road which has been an important social hub for 42 years.

The music was provided by volunteer guitar and drum duo The Dukes, who played classic hits such as Willie Nelson’s You Are My Sunshine. The centre gave out engraved glass vases and plates to visitors to mark the occasion.

Holloway resident Inez Spencer, 96, said she goes five days a week and loves socialising with people.

Mary Gafney and Mary Williamson lead the dancing at Alsen Day Centre’s birthday party

“My son works in the kitchen here. I used to run the sewing class which I loved,” she said.

The Mayor of Islington, Cllr Una O’Halloran, joined in the celebrations and talked to the elderly visitors.

“A lot of people are living longer and getting to be isolated. There aren’t too many places like this in the borough, and they’re really important,” she said.

Nathan Nortey, 50, who has been a care officer at the centre for 14 years, said he loved speaking to centre users. He added: “I love stories about different countries and when they came here and how they were welcomed, or stories about the Second World War.”