Angus charity celebrates Coronation with bumper tea party

The event, which was organised by charity Re-engage and held in Letham Village Hall, was also attended by the Duchess of Fife, who, as a deputy lieutenant, was the King’s representative.

Letham Scouts provided a guard of honour for the guests, some of whom were in their 90s, with a handful of them celebrating their third coronation, who were piped in by a young piper from St Cyrus.

The Scouts also assisted a team of young Re-engage and local volunteers to set up the hall and to serve up a huge variety of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, pancakes and cakes.

Jean Malcolm, co-ordinator for several tea party groups in Angus run by Re-engage, which is dedicated to ending isolation and loneliness among those aged 75 and over, said it had been “a fabulous day with a real community feel.”

She continued: “Our charity has never staged an event in this area this big before and everyone was delighted with the way it went.

"I’ve had messages from quite a few people saying it was a privilege to be involved with such a great charity.”

The two-hour celebration had also received support from Angus organisations and businesses, with bouquets donated by the flower clubs of Brechin, Montrose and Kirriemuir.

The local Co-op donated tea, coffee, milk and sugar and Asda weighed-in with a cheque for £400 to help pay for cakes and sandwiches.

There was also an anonymous donation of £500 and a well-wisher paid for the hire of the hall.

Re-engage runs free monthly tea parties for older people with hosts providing venues and drivers taking the guests to and from the social gatherings.

Jean added: “Apart from being an unforgettable day for everyone who was there this was a chance to say a big thank you to all our dedicated volunteers who give so much to help end loneliness among older people.”

Re-engage has groups based across the county and further details are available at www.reengage.org.uk.