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1940's coffee morning1940's coffee morning helps our heroes

The 1940’s might have been a time of destruction with the Second World War however it was also a time of high spirits in our communities. The music and atmosphere of yester year and time gone by was recently celebrated by 150 sheltered scheme residents who went along to a 1940’s style coffee morning held by mhs links the supported housing arm of mhs homes.

The morning began with a speech from the area co-ordinator for ‘Help For Heroes’ Steve Craddock who spoke about the charity, how the money raised is used and about a special remembrance service which is being organised specially for tenants by ‘Help for Heroes’ and mhs homes at the end of October. Then, the crowd were treated to a rendition of war time and 1940’s songs from popular entertainer Annie Love who led the singing and dancing to favourite tunes like; ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ and ‘Hang out your washing on the Siegfried Line’.

Old fashioned tea time favourite snacks including fish paste, spam and cheese sandwiches were served along with hot soup, tea, coffee and cakes were followed by a good old fashioned sing-along and dancing.

The total amount raised was £850.00 which is being donated to mhs homes chosen charity for 2009, Help for Heroes.

Eileen Kenward, Tenant Board Member on the Board of mhs homes said, "The talk from Steve Craddock was inspiring and really helped everyone to understand where the money we have raised will go. We all feel very strongly about the servicemen and women who get injured in war and were pleased that we raised so much."

The idea for the coffee morning came from residents who attended a residents meeting held by mhs Links. Co-ordinator Emma Johnson said, "Our customers suggested a 1940’s style coffee morning and it was so popular we decided to organise the event for the residents at Hook Meadow Hall, Chatham. The response has been fantastic and it has brought many residents from retirement housing schemes together from across Medway. The atmosphere has been brilliant".

Dennis Dodd, of Sindal Shaw House, Chatham said "A grand finale with all of us tenants singing the National Anthem finished off a patriotic and atmospheric day. It was an absolutely brilliant day out."

For pictures of the 1940's coffee morning please click here or visit mhs homes facebook page.