'Rouel Road New Year's Pensioners Party - a great community event' - Simon Hughes

12.00.00am GMT Sun 20th Jan 2008

Simon Hughes joined a second pensioners New Year's party over the third weekend of the new year when he accepted an invitation to join tenants and residents of the Rouel Road estate in Bermondsey and their friends for a party put on by the Tenants and Residents Committee and past and present residents of the estate, their families and friends. The local Community Wardens had been invited and were also present.

After sampling the food and drink and joining guests on the dance floor, Simon said:

''This clearly is a high quality event. People were dressed up at least as well as if they were going into the West End for the evening! The food and drink were delicious, the music was lively and the entertainment promised to be great fun. It is really important for community spirit that younger (or slightly younger) members of our estates look after their older neighbours. This sort of event brings a smile to the faces and joy to the hearts of many of our senior citizens. Thank you to Rouel Road - and long live Bermondsey pensioner's parties! What a great way to start the New Year''.