Rina Rotundo at her birthday celebrations

BERWICK Street has always held a special place for Rina Rotundo, who celebrated her 91st birthday this week with a special dinner put on for her by the market traders who have become her best pals.

“I don’t feel 91,” said the nonagenarian, who was treated to a special meal at the newly opened Ivy Brasserie in Broadwick Street. “I just feel how I’ve always felt.”

Born in 1926 in Old Compton Street, she recalled the Soho of her childhood, which she said was a friendly and safe place.

“I would walk home at 2 or 3 in the morning with no problems. I loved my midnight matinees, I’ve seen lots of stars, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin…”

She has particularly fond memories of Berwick Street Market, dating back to her younger days.

“We always used to go to the market as kids. I used to sell bundles of wood for a penny.”

She added: “The oranges used to come in great big wooden boxes tied up with ropes. We would take them home and make swings. We had some good laughs.”

Nowadays, Rina visits Berwick Street Market every day to have a chat with the traders. Joining her for dinner was Laecia Stannet, who works at Ronnie’s Flowers. She said: “She’s a lovely lady, she comes to us every day for a chat.”

“She is so friendly. She may be 91 but she has the energy of someone who is 19,” said Thomas Mackenzie from Soho Dairy.