Members of conservation group hold annual summer party

MORE than 60 people attended the Henley Society annual garden party at the Eyot Centre on Sunday.

Ladies wore floral midi- and maxi-length skirts and dresses, while gentlemen wore chino trousers or shorts accompanied by linen shirts and Panama hats.

They sat on camping chairs around tables which were decorated with hand-picked garden flowers.

They enjoyed smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, crisps and cake, with wine, beer and Prosecco.

Barry Owen and the Main Attraction, a four-piece party band, performed songs under a gazebo, including Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton, Copacabana by Barry Manilow, and We Are Family by Sister Sledge.

The Spitting Pig provided a hog roast.

Nick Richardson, secretary of the society, said: “Henley Society has about 650 members, all of who love and are dedicated to not just keeping but improving the town for the benefit of the residents and visitors. We can see nearly 500 new residences in the next few years, so 2,000 more people and 1,000 more cars, not all Range Rovers.

“We all need to work together to keep the town a great place to live.”

Deputy Mayor Ian Reissmann attended and said: “The Henley Society provides social and cultural events, adding the richness and variety of the town’s events. The society has played an important role in preserving all the things we love about our town since 1961.”

Geoff Luckett, chairman of the Henley Society, said: “The party is a great opportunity for people to meet each other again, and the wonderful weather just makes it all the more enjoyable.”