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Harry can still trip the light fantastic at the age of 100
HE'S 100 years old today, but this old timer still has a spring in his step.
Harry Horne has been dancing for 70 years and has no plans to stop.
He has been going to old time classes at Cosham Community Centre, Cosham, for over 20 years, and has been leading the group for more than five years.
And the sprightly pensioner, who lives in Brockhampton Road, Havant, says dancing keeps him young.
'Dancing is very good therapy,' he said.
'It is not just good physical exercise, but good mental exercise too. It is a very good activity and I would always recommend it to people.
'I think it does keep me young.'
He added: 'There is always a very good crowd at Cosham Community Centre, people are very friendly and I really look forward to coming.'
Recalling how his love-affair with dancing first started in 1940, Harry said: 'Hitler is responsible for my dancing.
'It was in the blitz I had to stay in digs in Bradford. The lady who I was staying with used to go dancing.
'She tried to persuade me to come along and one night we couldn't get any coal so needed something to keep us warm, so we went.'
And since then Harry has loved nothing more than getting on the dance floor.
He and his late wife Alison even took part in professional competitions.
'My wife was very good,' he added. 'We enjoyed doing that together.'
To celebrate his 100th birthday the Old Time dance group had tea and cakes and banners at the community centre.
His dance partner Sheila Charlton, 75, said: 'Harry is a marvellous dancer, everything has to be perfect.
'I love dancing with him. He is so good, he even plays the CDs for me at the class.'
Harry's daughter Alison Pinn says she has fond memories of her dancing dad as a child.
The 62-year-old of Warblington Avenue, Havant, said: 'I used to go dancing with him when I was 12 at the Rock Gardens Pavilion, which is now the Pyramids.
'I remember watching my parents dancing and thought they were very good.
'He really looks forward to this (the dance class), it is great exercise.
'Even if he is not feeling well he still tries to do it. He is fiercely independent.'
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Friday 10 February 2012
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