It was a night Dame Vera Lynn will never forget: a star-studded dinner to celebrate her 90th birthdy, held at London's stunning Hertford House, home of the Wallace Collection.

The biggest surprise of the evening, which was organised by Stars Organisation supporting Cerebral Palsy (SOS), was the arrival of Dame Edna Everage, who busrt in to present a bouquet of the gladioli to Dame Vera.

The two dames embraced and Dame Edna (aka Barry Humphries) said: "Happy birthday Darling", before turning to the 120 guests and calling out: "Just think, this wonderful, lively, beautifum woman actually won the war". Later, Vera said: " I hadn't met her before. It certainly got the party off to a lively start".

After the birthday girl had welcomed her special guests, champagne was served, before dinners, led by Dame Vera and comic actor Eric Sykes, were piped into the magnificent Great Gallery by Piper Sergeant Andy Parsons from the London Scottish Territorial Army Regiment.

Sir Roger Moore read messages of congratulations from the Queen, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Rim Rice, and was one of the many who paid a glowing tribute:" The word's 'national treasure' have been bandied around so many times but Vera really is a national treasure", he said. "I feel so privileged to know her and so be asked tonight to speak at this special occasion about her".

Eric Sykes first met Dame Vera when she visited soldiers in Normandy after D-Day. "And we won, so that tells you what an impression she had on us. If she'd born in Berlin, English would now be our second language"!.

"My father adored her", said Cilla Black. She also recalled a story about a close friend's father who had been visited by the Forces' Sweetheart while he was in hospital. "Vera came round with bottles of beer for the men, but he never opened it. Instead he kept it, and when he died years later he was buried with the beer".

June Whitfield summed up her feelings about Vera: "She has a wonderful aura and a great sense of dignity. All that she has been through, and all that she has done, she is an inspiration". Laughting, she added: "And at her age she makes us feel so young". Sir Roger helps Dame Vera put on a White Cliffs of Dover pearl bracelet, created by the Queen's jeweller Harry Collins. Although thrilled with it, she decided it should be auctionned for SOS, which is run by volunteers.

Rolf Harris proposed the Loyal Toast. He said of Dame Vera: "She is a remarkable example for anybody in th music industry. Her security of pitch was legendary. It was said you could tune a piano to her voice because she was so secure on the notes and was in the right pitch on every occasion".

Ronnie Corbett recited a poem he'd written as a special tribute to Vera which incorporated all her most successful songs, ending with the words: "Happy birthday Vera, and thanks you for all the love and fun you have given the whole nation".

After the speeches, Cilla led the singing of Happy Birthday with all the guests standing and joining in.

The event, whose main sponsors were Brent and Fiona Pollard, had been organised by SOS event trustee Diana Beeny, married to Last of the Summer Wine actor Christopher Beeny.

SOS chairman Bob Reader presents Dame Vera with a cheque for £ 40.0000 raised for the charity, of which she has been president since she founded it in 1953 with Wilfred Pickles.

Dame Vera, who only a few hours earlier had attended a reception in her honour at London's Imperial War Museum with Baroness Thatcher and war veterans, thanked everyone for sharing her 90th birthday.

"It isn't often one is 90, and it has been quite a long day but I've enjoyed every minute of it", she said. "I'll never forget this wonderful evening; to have my birthday held at such a beautiful place surrounded by my old friends". Then the guests linked arms and sang her classis song We'll Meet Again.

Report: David Wiggs - Photos: Mike Daines

 

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