Age UK's vintage-themed Tea Dance

Live music will be provided by The Royal British Legion Dance Band. The Tea Dance, named Strictly Vintage, will start at 3pm and will raise money for local charity Age UK Horsham District to help them continue their charitable work in the local community.

All ages and abilities are welcome to attend.

Sue Noye won ‘Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year ‘in the 2012 County Times community awards and is an integral part of planning this exciting event.

She said: “I’ve wanted to do a full scale tea dance at the Drill Hall for years, it’s the perfect venue and its history is full of fantastic dance events. We’re paying homage to an era with great fashion and music.

“It’s the perfect place for it and having a real dance band playing classic dance tunes will really make the event so special.”

Lawrie Mallyon, community fundraiser added: “It promises to be a wonderful event with some great entertainment and music to dance to.

“We’re going to be decorating the hall in the vintage style and will have a selection of stalls selling vintage clothing, toys, drinks, jams and chutneys and a vintage photo booth.

“It’s not compulsory but we’re hoping as many people as possible will dress up in a 40’s or 50’s style to add authenticity; they’ll even be a prize for best dressed so ladies, dig out your gloves and pencil skirts and flannel suits and service uniforms for the gents.”

Strictly Vintage has been made possible by the founding of a new charitable foundation from local brewery Dark Star who, from their premises in Partridge Green, have won numerous international beer awards.

The Dark Star Foundation was set up in 2013 to help local charities, pubs and small businesses access funds to start up new ventures. After an original request for £350 to cover part of the costs to host this new event, The Dark Star awarded £600 to cover the full cost and are even offering some prizes on the day.

James Cuthbertson from Dark Star said: “We’re delighted to de working with the team at Age UK Horsham District. Since offering funding from the Dark Star Foundation, we have had firsthand experience of the great network of support Age UK Horsham District offer.”

To book your ticket, please call Age UK Horsham District on 01403 260 560 today. Tickets are just £10 and include a delicious high tea, a selection of stalls with vintage goods for sale, a vintage photo booth as well as prizes to be won in the raffle and games all set to the backdrop of the best dancing tunes of the era.

For more information on Age UK Horsham District, visit their website www.ageukhorshamdistrict.org.uk or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AgeUKHorshamDistrict) and Twitter @AgeUKHorshamD

Report contributed by Age UK Horsham District.