VISITORS To a D-Day event in Twyford were treated to a buffet lunch, wartime dances, music and singing, and the company of special guests.
Events throughout the week at Age Concern Twyford and District Senior Social Club culminated in a grand finale on Friday.
The group’s 80th D-Day celebrations were attended by former UK Prime Minister Right Hon Theresa May, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire Alexander Barfield, and Lady Elizabeth Godsal and Anne Grieves, two of the club’s founders.
Welcoming them were centre manager Alan Boyle dressed as Sir Winston Churchill, and chair of trustees Patrick Heather.
Lady May thanked everyone who had contributed to the event’s success, and said how delighted she was to be there.
“It’s wonderful to see people who’ve come here today having a really good opportunity to get together as a community,” she said.
“The centre has provided support and friendship for so many people through the years.
“Today we remember a very important day when British and Allied forces made the journey across the English Channel to France.
“Without their sacrifice, we wouldn’t be here enjoying our freedom.
“So we celebrate in style, and say a huge thank you to all those who gave their lives for us.”
Lady Elizabeth Godsal, Anne Grieves, and Mary Conway-Jones founded the Twyford social club in 1988, funded entirely through donations.
Anne said how good it was to see the centre continuing in the way they had always wanted it to.
It was Anne’s husband, Selwyn, who spotted the location and helped to oversee the building of the premises.
Lady Elizabeth explained that Anne had been keen for it to be in the heart of Twyford.
“She was absolutely right,” she said.
“The club belongs to the village, and everyone knows where it is.
“We’re so lucky to have had wonderful staff through the years, and that it is still the same caring place, looking after people and giving them love.”
Trustee Tina Goodwin, agreed: “This is such a lovely community, and we’re delighted that so many of our members have come today.
“We know, though, that there are more people out there feeling lonely.
“We’d love them to come and join us – there are lots of things going on here.
“And we’ve recently opened a new room for hairdressing and podiatry which we have named the Anne Grieves Salon.”
A buffet and speeches were followed by 1940s dancing from swing dancers and ‘professional jitterbugs’ Simon and Anna, from Swing Dance UK, their three month old baby Robert also charming attendees.
One, retired Lieutenant Colonel Edward Buckingham, 89, said: “Seeing the baby today reminded me of my own early years.
“At the beginning of the war when I was five years old, I was evacuated, like many children.
“A young couple in Yeovil took me in but they were very cruel – they burnt the back of my hand, whacked me with a horse crop, and gave me vinegar and dried bread for supper.”
Fortunately it wasn’t too long before he was rescued – through catching measles.
Edward became very unwell, and was confined to bed.
“Somehow my mother got to hear about it,” he said, “Perhaps from the physician who treated me, who could see how ill I was, and maybe informed the authorities.”
Edward’s mother came to the house to collect him and knocked at the door.
“I was frightened and freezing cold upstairs, and I could hear her voice downstairs,” he continued.
“They didn’t want to let her in, and I was very worried that I was going to get a beating later on.
“But fortunately that was my last memory of the horrible place.”
Edward is in the process of writing his memoirs in a book for his family.
As an adult he served in the British Army, and proudly wore his medals to the D-Day celebrations.
“I lost an uncle in Normandy,” he said.
“He was in the Reconnaissance Corps, and his landing boat ran into a mine and burst into flames.
“More than 100 soldiers had to jump from the ship onto the burning sea.”
Twyford’s Age Concern centre recently won a Dobbies Garden Centre competition, and has become the company’s adopted charity of the year.
Plants donated by Dobbies have helped to turn the centre’s previously overgrown outdoor space into a safe space for outdoor chats and barbecues.
“We’ve got lots more ideas for the future,” said chair Patrick Heather.
“Like many groups we suffered during the pandemic, but lots of our members are here today, and we are once again looking forward.”
Regular visitor, Pru Smith, said: “I enjoy coming tremendously.
“At first I thought it was like a seniors’ playschool, but now it’s my club, and without it I’d be lonely.
“The staff here are absolutely wonderful.”
Twyford Age Concern centre runs from Monday to Friday, from 10am until 3pm.
Members can enjoy lunch together, activities, singing, and time with friends.
For information, visit: www.ageconcerntwyford.org.uk
