I have to say I don’t particularly enjoy getting dressed up so the thought of a black tie gala dinner doesn’t have me jumping for joy.

My mood dropped even further when I find, at a time too late to do anything about it, that my dinner suit is probably at the cleaners but certainly not in the wardrobe.

So it was with an embarrassing look and heavy heart that I attended the first ever Creative Youth gala dinner.

Standing at the front door in my tails I looked more likely to be helping people park their cars than be attending the event but as people flooded past me dressed to the nines my mood began to lift.

The charity was extremely fortunate that the Earl of Wessex, who is the president of the Creative Youth, attended the evening and as a result there was a wonderful attendance.

During the evening there were a number of performances from young people who are either part of the creative talent programme run by the charity or will be performing at this year’s International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston.

The entertainment ended on a particular high when the a capella group the Tiffinians closed with a hilarious and beautifully tuned version of Postman Pat.

By the end of the evening the vast majority of those attending were asking for the date of next year’s gala dinner, which is surely the sign of a great night. It should also give me some time to see if can find that suit.

Visit creativeyouth charity.org for more.

* Got a point of view you would like to share? Email jkennard@london.newsquest.co.uk