HASLEMERE’S new charity, The Hunter Centre, which supports those living with dementia, celebrated its first six months with an evening of festive cheer at the Marjorie Gray Hall.

Centre chairman Anne Downing, trustee Margaret Barlow and operations manager Elaine Clement were delighted to receive an extra-special Christmas present from Fernhurst Choral Society’s chairman Hughie Russell.

Its gift of a £1,300 cheque after a concert at Petworth, which featured a jazz mass and songs from ‘The Great American Songbook.’ A collection raised £375, making the total donation £1,676.

Clients, carers and supporters were treated to mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas cake.

An octet of singers from Woolmer Hill School sang unaccompanied carols and American songs, and Mrs Downing and Mrs Barlow recited Christmas-themed poems to bring back lovely memories of yesteryear.

•For more information about The Hunter Centre, call (01428) 654710 or go to www.thehuntercentre.co.uk.

•Fernhurst Choral Society inquiries call (01730) 816542. lwww.fernhurstchoralsociety.org.uk