THOUSANDS of people flocked to the popular Tadley Treacle Fair last month.

The annual event, which is organised by the Loddon Valley Lions Club, returned to Saunders Field on May 31.

Entertainment began on the Saturday when people visited the venue to enjoy an evening of music from Special Kinda Madness – a tribute band performing a number of hits from Madness and The Specials.

The main Tadley Treacle Fair got into full swing on Sunday, starting with a procession from Burnham Copse Primary School, in Newchurch Road, Tadley before the fair was formally opened by the new Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Anne Court.

New North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse was also in attendance, as well as this year’s King and Queen, Liam Griffiths and Amy Jewell.

And there was plenty of fun to be had by the more than 3,500 people who attended the event, with a number of attractions, including a rock-climbing wall and a bucking bronco as well as performances at the arena by the Spitfire Marching Band and dance school Dance Phaze.

For car enthusiasts, a parade of vintage vehicles, which included a 1937 Triumph Dolomite and a restored Alfa Romeo Spider, made its way round the event for everyone to admire.

Martin Slatford, president of the Loddon Valley Lions, told The Gazette: “It was a wonderful day and it went really well.

“The comments we have had have been very positive.

“It is an event for all ages and it has been running for nearly 40 years.”

Around £7,500 was raised at the Treacle Fair which will go to local charities that the Loddon Valley Lions support.

The main beneficiary will be the Loddon Valley Lions day care club which is held at the Ambrose Allen Centre, in Franklin Avenue, Tadley.

The day care centre was set up in 1989 and it provides valuable respite care for the elderly in the local area. Spaces are currently available at the centre.

For more information, call 01189 813868.