The Queen's 80th birthday was celebrated at the Adastra Hall in Hassocks on Friday, June 9, with a "Royal Variety" concert to raise funds for much-needed research into the serious illness of Crohn's Disease.

The local concert party Friends And Neighbours provided a lively entertainment to a packed hall and the generous audience raised £855 for the Crohn's In Childhood Research Association.

As the organiser, I would like to thank the concert party for giving their time and talent for the charity. I would also like to thank everyone who helped in any way during that very busy evening, including those who donated prizes for the very successful raffle.

The event was brought to a close with a rousing rendition, by the cast and audience alike, of There'll Always Be An England.

-Dorrie Mottram, Hassock