Saturday, Strictly and Sr Anne

Glitterball in Sr Anne’s room

Sr Anne’s 91st birthday in early January

Sr Anne Kelly, who’s just celebrated her 91st birthday, must rank as one of the biggest fans of the television show, ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’ Sr Anne has watched every episode of Strictly that’s ever been broadcast and has an encyclopedic knowledge of all the dancers’ fortunes over the years. To prove the point, she’s even had a glitterball installed on the ceiling of her care home in the Midlands where she now lives!

Acknowledging it’s a slightly unusual obsession for an elderly nun, Sr Anne says she finds the spirit of fun and goodwill between the competitors in Strictly inspirational : “I love the variety and find it all so entertaining. I also love the approach of the judges when they praise the dancers but also give them tailor made advice on how to do things better. In a lot of these competitions there could be jealousy but with this,  everyone’s pleased when another pair does well; it’s so lovely to see that spirit!”

A native of the west of Ireland, Sr Anne entered a convent at the relatively late age of 58, joining the Mater Ecclesiae congregation for older women. She’s a highly skilled laundress, who was known in the congregation for her dedication to perfection in that realm. She has recently moved from the mother house near Rugby to a care home in Coleshill and says her thoughts turn all year to when the next series of Strictly will begin, adding gleefully: “I look forward to those Saturday nights so much!”

Her other passion is devouring novels - she’s an avid bookworm. “I’m so blessed” she laughs: “I’ve got a wonderful memory, acute hearing and good eyesight as well as the gift of the gab! I’m pleased to say I’ve also got all my marbles!”

Happy Birthday Sr Anne - wishing you many more enjoyable episodes of Strictly!

Sr Anne, front left, at a Christmas lunch with two Mater Ecclesiae Sisters and friends