WAR songs were sung and stories regaled at a First World War Commemorative Afternoon Tea held in Malmesbury last week.

Over 120 people attended the event at Malmesbury Town Hall on Friday (18) which was organised by the town council to commemorate and remember the war.

The event had an open invitation for anyone who wanted to be there, while invitations were also sent out to local people in the Royal British Legion and Luncheon Clubs.

It was the second year the afternoon tea had been held and there are plans for another two to be held to commemorate each year of the war.

Sue Poole, former town mayor and current town councillor on the Community and Town Promotion Committee, was involved in organising the event.

She said: “It went very well indeed; everyone seemed to enjoy it. I think it’s a nice way to commemorate the war for older residents in the town.

“It was a great social event for elderly people, who wouldn’t necessarily get out and about, to catch up with people they hadn’t seen in a while.

“We were delighted we had people from Stainsbridge House there as well as from the two Luncheon Clubs in the town.

“I do have to say thank you to the ladies and gentlemen who came and helped; without them we couldn’t have done it.”

“It’s just one of the ways we’re marking the occasion. We’ve also decided to plant four oak trees as a commemoration of the war.

John Gundry, Malmesbury Town Mayor, gave a short address to those in attendance at the afternoon tea.

“I’m please to spend a few minutes with you today,” he said. “It is lovely to see such a fantastic turnout.

“It’s been a team effort by the council to get this organised and it’s a great way of recognising the anniversary of the war.”