Armed Forces veterans enjoyed a sing-along and shared wartime memories as they were treated to a special tea dance at Clacton’s Princes Theatre.

Organised by the Clacton branch of the Royal British Legion and supported by Tendring District Council (TDC), the annual Veterans’ Tea Dance saw ex-services personnel and their guests invited for food and drink and to since-along and dance to wartime era music.

The event, held on Tuesday, 10 September, started with the traditional Last Post and a minute’s silence to remember the fallen, both those who died in active service and previous tea dance attendees.

TDC Chairman Dan Casey, who is also President of the Clacton Royal British Legion branch and the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “This nostalgic event is always great fun and stirs the memory, but it is also very touching and poignant.

“Our district’s veterans look forward to the annual tea dance and it’s a pleasure to be able to talk to them and hear their stories.

“It is also important that we take the time to remember those who are no longer with us.

“This year we had two veterans from the Second World War as our guests of honour.

“It was a delight to host them at the Princes Theatre, so we could thank them for their service.”

The event included speeches by dignitaries, including Councillor Casey and David Swann MBE, and a playing of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill’s End of War speech along with entertainment by Angie Gilby.

Attendees were able to enjoy refreshments and food paid for by the council from Clacton’s Bluebird Tearooms.

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