A dinner has been held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winston Churchill being elected the Member of Parliament for Epping.
Sir Winston was MP for the then Epping constituency for almost 21 years, the longest he served any of the five constituencies he represented between 1900 and 1964.
Sir Winston was elected MP for Epping on October 29, 1924, and served the constituency until 1945 when he became the Member of Parliament for Woodford.
He served as Conservative Prime Minister twice - from 1940 to 1945 (before being defeated in the 1945 general election by Labour leader Clement Attlee) and from 1951 to 1955.
Special guests at Thursday's dinner, held at West Essex Golf Club, were Sir Winston's grandson the Rt. Hon. Lord Soames of Fletching and Sir Winston's great-grandson Randolph Churchill.
Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing said: "The legacy of Sir Winston Churchill continues to inspire everyone who believes in freedom through democracy. His words of wisdom endure. His spirit guides us through the difficult times.
"Epping Forest Conservatives are terribly proud of our connection with Winston. It was during his time as MP for Epping that he had has 'finest hours' - opposing appeasement, becoming Prime Minister, leading the free world to victory over facism and communism.
"By 1924, Winston was already a celebrity, both as a journalist and as a politician, but he had suffered three defeats at the ballot box, in 1922, 1923 and 1924.
"Epping was to be his salvation and his safe harbour. When he was invited to become the candidate he accepted the nomination and built a stable base for a further 40 phenomenal years in Parliament.
"He noted with delight that he could make the journey from Epping to Chartwell, by car, in just over an hour. I note with amusement that it takes me far longer than that to drive from here to Westminster today!"
Dame Eleanor added: "It was an honour to celebrate, together with Nicholas and Randolph, the centenary of Winston's election here in Epping and to contemplate the significance of that election, not just for Epping, not just for Britain, but for the cause of freedom itself."
In a message to Epping Forest Conservative Association to mark the centenary celebration, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "The election of Winston Churchill as Member of Parliament for the Epping constituency in 1924 was a momentous event in British history.
"It might not have seemed of international importance at the time, but we all now fully appreciate that Epping gave Churchill the secure base that enabled him to become one of our greatest Prime Ministers and to lead our country through its darkest hours during the Second World War and on to victory.
"I am delighted to send Epping Forest Conservative Association my very best wishes as you celebrate this important centenary."
