GALLERY: The Elderberries have a ball at summer party

Tracy Jones, Elderberries coordinator, gets into the swing of things at the summer party. Picture by Jane Coltman

The Elderberries summer party was staged in The Alnwick Garden’s Pavilion on Tuesday, with more than 100 guests.

The sell-out event featured entertainment from The Darling Dollies – a 1940s-inspired vintage singing trio – and the local Ukulele Riff Raff Band playing tunes from the First and Second World Wars.

The party-goers had a ball, with many up dancing, while each guest had a printed song sheet so they could sing along to all of their favourite tunes.

As well as music, the event also included afternoon tea and a lucky prize draw, with gifts donated by Alnwick businesses The Cookie Jar, Turnbull’s and Grannies.

Elderberries coordinator, Tracy Jones, described the summer party as a huge success.

She said: “Due to the ever-increasing Elderberries community weekly programme, I felt the need to hold a much larger party in the Pavilion room, with bunting, china crockery, flowery table centres and doilies.

“We hold three regular tea dances each year, which are always very popular with around 100 guests, but this time I was very aware that not every elderly guest can or wants to sequence dance, but nevertheless loves music.

“This event was a sell-out with 110 guests and something I will be holding again.

“I would like to say my thanks to the seven volunteers who helped me enormously with the running of the event.”

Thanks have also been given to Ramside Catering staff.

The Elderberries charity provides a range of free activities for people over 55 within The Alnwick Garden, with the aim of increasing a sense of identity and belonging and giving them the opportunities for purposeful learning and improving physical and mental health.

It runs numerous initiatives, including The Blooming Well Project, aimed at people with dementia and provides specifically-designed therapeutic horticulture and wellbeing activities, and the Gentlemen’s Garden, which is a group run specifically for men who enjoy gardening/woodwork and gives them access to allotment space.

For Elderberries details, call 01665 511350 or visit alnwickgarden.com