On Sunday 11th December the Sir Simon Milton Foundation hosted their 15^th annual Tea Dance for 1,000 Westminster residents aged 65 and over for a glorious afternoon of live music and entertainment.

After being postponed for two years due to the pandemic, the highly anticipated charity event has become a calendar highlight for many older people in Westminster and their carers who look forward to the special festive event held in the magnificent Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.

      

Guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and music from Tea Dance regulars, the Red Stripe Band, who filled the dance floor. There was a performance from classical Lucy Clark, and students from the Sylvia Young Theatre School delighted the audience with a spectacular Elvis Presley medley. Rashmi Becker, from Step Change Studios, an inclusive Latin and Ballroom dance company and her partner Lawrence James performed two dazzling ballroom routines. Special guest, classical violinist Tasmin Little OBE, joined guests at the special event.

      

Local resident, 103-year-old Percival Chafer was presented with a Christmas hamper kindly donated by Fortnum & Mason in celebration of being the oldest guest at the event.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Hamza Taouzzale attended as a special guest and welcomed people on arrival. Many local charities and voluntary organisations supported the event by bringing along local residents, including Carers Network, Westminster care homes, Open Age and Age UK Westminster. Westminster Connects Volunteers and Volunteer Police Cadets from Westminster, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge volunteered at the event alongside Westminster City Council staff.

      

The Sir Simon Milton Foundation Tea Dance is generously sponsored by Shaftesbury Plc, and supported by JW Marriott Grosvenor House London and Westminster City Council.