A singing group dedicated to people with dementia and their carers in Beaconsfield celebrated a decade of hitting the high notes this month.

Special guests Fiona Castle and mayor of the town Anita Cranmer joined guests at the Singing for Brain group’s celebrations.

The group, which was set up in 2009, has helped hundreds of people with dementia, and their carers.

Cllr Cranmer and Mrs Castle, widow of the late Roy Castle, cut the celebration cake together.

Mrs Castle said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the group and I really admire what they have achieved.

“It was very enlightening and very impressive to see so many people having such a great time.”

The cake was made by Sophie Kelly, whose grandparents attend the group and who regularly attends the group with them.

Sally Pierce, who has been attending the group and volunteering since it first started, said: “Volunteering at Singing for the Brain is one of the highlights of my week as it is a wonderful experience to see everyone relaxing, enjoying themselves and being totally engaged in the moment and I feel very privileged to be a part of this.

“To continue with an activity which my partner Roy used to enjoy is a great comfort and pleasure and seeing how it is helping successive groups of people is enormously uplifting. I feel that I gain more than I give when volunteering.”

Singing for the Brain is a social activity for people with dementia and their carers, helping them to express themselves and sing with others in a similar situation.

Nicole Palmer, Alzheimer’s Society services manager for Buckinghamshire, said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to support so many people in the Beaconsfield area through our Singing for the Brain over the last ten years.

“There are 1,100 people living with dementia in the South Bucks area and even when many memories are hard to retrieve, music can sometimes still be recalled - if only for a short while.

“The sessions help people with dementia communicate improving their mood and leaving them feeling good about themselves.”

The group currently meets most Friday mornings at The Fitzwilliams Centre, in Beaconsfield.

To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society services in Buckinghamshire, call 01296 331722.