ALMOST 200 pub regulars from the 1960s have held a 'family' reunion.Friends who used to go to the Waveney Hotel pub in Bramford Road met to reminisce over old times.

ALMOST 200 pub regulars from the 1960s have held a 'family' reunion.

Friends who used to go to the Waveney Hotel pub in Bramford Road met to reminisce over old times.

The 40-year reunion event was a great success after more than £1,700 was raised for charity.

The event took place at the Victory Hall in Bramford and £1,724.94 was raised.

This was collected through entrance tickets and a raffle where one of the main prizes was a signed Ipswich Town pennant.

The money will be split between the air ambulance based in Newmarket and the Children's Hospice in Ipswich.

The Alan Wade Set provided the musical entertainment and they also donated money to the good causes.

David Hunt, 56, organised the event and was delighted with the amount of money that was raised.

He said: "Everyone is still friends. There was so much talking and we had a lot of photographs so we could see what everyone looked like in the 60s.

"People have been telling me they totally enjoyed it and the whole night was a total success.

"We aimed for £1,500 so £1,700 was quite a bonus.

"Everyone enjoyed themselves and cannot wait until the next one."

About 190 people attended the reunion and it was such a success that there are plans for similar events to be held every year.

Mr Hunt said: "Everyone went to the pub at least four nights a week. We always met there first before going elsewhere and it was a major part of our life.

"At the time we were like a big family as everyone knew everyone else.

"I was very pleased with the turnout and the fact that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves made the whole thing worth while."

n What are your memories of the Waveney Hotel pub? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk