For retired jazz singer Geoff Brown live music was a must for the day he and wife Rita celebrated their 62nd anniversary, so the pair were delighted to relive memories of the first song they danced to at their wedding: You Make Me Feel  So Young.

Entertainer Ron Sutherland, aka Rockin’ Ronnie, performed a selection of the couple’s favourite songs and Geoff, who is living with dementia, remembered most of them including their special song Route 66.

Geoffrey and Rita Brown married on 2 April 1960 at St Paul’s church in Eccles, where Rita had attended Sunday School and where their children, Peter and Gill, were subsequently christened.

The anniversary celebrations took place at Camelot House and Lodge in Wellington, where staff had organised a private party for resident Geoff to enjoy with Rita and their son and daughter-in-law Peter and Jayne.

For Covid safety the party took place in the home’s new visitor lounge office, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion and overlooks the sensory garden where Ronnie was performing outside.

Rita said: "It was an amazing afternoon. Geoff was so funny, he had a balloon and was using it like a microphone to sing along with Ronnie, it was lovely."

Guests enjoyed a party platter of vegetarian food, catering for Rita and Geoff’s life-long vegetarianism, including their favourites: cheese sandwiches, vegetable soup, quiches and a selection of pastries made by chef Chris Morris which attracted a lot of compliments.

Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care provider Camelot Care, which has other homes in Bridgwater and Plymouth.