Hundreds of people mozied on down to Missenden Abbey yesterday to help celebrate 30 years of care by a hardworking hospice charity.

Rennie Grove Hospice Care threw a wild west-themed party at the 12th Century abbey, with the 900-strong crowd gathering for line dancing, a rodeo bull and a hog roast.

The event was organised to support the hospice charity in its 30th anniversary year and raise funds and awareness for its 24-hour responsive service providing specialist care in patients’ homes across Bucks.

Director of fundraising and marketing at Rennie Grove, Gillian Barnett, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who made the day a success: all our volunteers who helped out on the day.

“A big thank you also to the team at Missenden Abbey for helping us mark our 30-year milestone with a fantastic event that will have raised invaluable funds and awareness.”

As part of the activities to commemorate patients cared for during three decades, staff from the charity came into the main arena to say a few words.

Chairman of trustees for the charity, Professor Stephen Spiro, thanked attendees for their support and clinical lead for patient and family services, Fiona Wordley, read a poem she had written called ‘30 Years of Rennie Grove’.

Elsewhere, families enjoyed Wild West style games and local dance troupes in the main arena, as well as more than 60 craft stalls.