MUSIC lovers took a trip back in time at the Alton Maltings Centre this month to raise money for a town charity.

The occasion was a Sensational Seventies disco on September 12 which raised a tidy £535 for Dementia Friendly Alton.

Spinning the vinyl on the night were DJs Smashy (Paul Day) and Nicey (Terry Eccott) – emulating the characters created by comedians Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse back in the 1990s.

According to Terry, friend Paul Day from Ramsgate, Kent, stood in at the last minute to take on the role of Smashy. Together they played hits from that golden decade of music, everything from glam rock, T.Rex, David Bowie, Slade and Sweet to the soul sounds of Barry White, KC and the Sunshine Band and the Bee Gees for an enthusiastic crowd who danced for more than four hours.

The event was organised by Terry to raise money for Dementia Friendly Alton which will go toward a singing club for people with dementia and their carers.

The evening started with a speech from Debbie Morshead, from Dementia Friendly Hampshire, on the importance of having dementia-friendly groups like the one in Alton all over the county, to help the growing number of people with dementia and their carers feel part of the community.

Debbie praised Dementia Friendly Alton members for what they have achieved in such a short space of time. Debbie and Alton branch secretary Karen Murrell both received awards on the night from Dementia Friendly ambassador and chairman Terry Eccott for their outstanding work over the last two years. “They both deserve their awards for the work they have put at county and town level respectively,” said Terry.

A raffle and an auction of a signed book by Robbie Williams helped push the amount raised past the £500 mark on the night.

Terry said: “It was a great night with a great result!”

He expressed grateful thanks to all those who helped to run the event and to make it a success, among them Simon Corlett, John Wally and Nick Wright of the Maltings Centre, ACT secretary Jon Colville and wife, Kim, for running the bar, friend Paul Day, and Dementia Friendly representatives Debbie and Karen.

He added: “This was my last appearance as chairman of Dementia Friendly Alton. It is time for someone else to pick up the baton, but I will continue my ambassador work, and giving my presentations around the country on living with dementia.”

In paying tributed to Terry, Debbie said: “Terry has done so much in the last two-and-a-half years since he was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and the money that has been raised because of his efforts will contribute greatly to ensuring that the work that Terry and Dementia Friendly Alton has done can be continued and built upon.”