February 2 2018

More than 120 people with dementia and their carers gathered for free gala dinner thanks to volunteer staff, the mayors of four Wiltshire towns and food company apetito.

The diners were all guests of Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support, which hosted its third annual Night to Remember evening in the elegant surroundings of Wellington Barn near Calne.

A three-course meal was supplied by charity’s corporate partner apetito. Its patron Lady Lansdowne, the Mayors of Calne, Devizes and Trowbridge, and the deputy mayor of Chippenham were among the table hosts and the waiting staff were all Alzheimer’s Support staff members who volunteered their time.

Registered Services Manager Sally Haddrell-Jenks who organised the event said: “This is a real highlight of the year for us. It is lovely that people who don’t often get the chance to socialise were able to enjoy a smart evening out. Seeing people’s faces as they walked in and saw the room was the best moment for me. 

“We have had some amazing feedback from our guests and would like to thank everyone who supported us to make this event possible once again.”

The gala dinner is held every year to mark national Dignity in Care day.

The charity’s day care services manager Grant Newton, who is also a keen photographer, took a commemorative photograph of guests to keep as a memory of the evening.