Beautiful period clothes were combined with fascinating society anecdotes to entertain the guests at ICM’s 10th Sunday Social on 7 March, a charity event for the over-60s.

The free event has now been running for ten months in Highcliffe, Dorset, and has built up a loyal and appreciative following that attend regularly and await each month’s entertainment offering with bated breath.

Last Sunday they were treated to a fascinating talk from Patricia Godwin, the Artistic Director of the Palm Court Theatre Orchestra & Company. Several years ago, Patricia was bequeathed a unique family collection of period clothes, magazines and newspapers of the 20th century – and she has created a series of talks which showcase these treasures.

Demonstrating dresses, shoes, hosiery, bathing costumes, hats and outerwear, Patricia regaled the audience with tales of the roaring twenties, citing humorous extracts from newspapers of the day. She said: “’It is high time,’ writes a correspondent in the Daily Mail, ‘that a clearly defined waistline should be introduced into feminine dress.’ Others claim that as both the neckline and the hemline are now worn around the waist, the reintroduction of a waistline elsewhere can only lead to confusion…”

The guests were then invited to come up and examine the clothes more closely, a wonderful opportunity that was truly relished. One guest said: “The workmanship of these clothes is just so good. The fabrics are so delicate but they have lasted all this time – they are stunning.”

The Sunday Social was again coordinated with ICM’s partners Forerunner Personal Catering, Dorset POPP, Lions of Christchurch and Age Concern – all of which provide tireless volunteers every month, and to whom ICM is incredibly grateful.

Donations are now being collected for a new charitable goal – inspired by the fashion slant, ICM is looking into the donation of much-needed bras/knickers to Africa and will source an appropriate charity to help deliver this donation.