HUNDREDS of people celebrated 15 years of the Ridgeway Centre being at the heart of the Buckskin community during an event at the weekend.

Around 300 people flocked to the centre, in Blackdown Close, on Saturday to mark 15 years of the centre being an integral part of the community since it opened in January 2000.

Those attending on the day enjoyed live performances from singers Rob Hayes, Dave Capper and David Blackbourne as well as enjoying a barbecue and a range of cakes from the centre’s cosy corner cafe.

Youngsters were also kept entertained by a bouncy castle, toys, face painting and glitter tattoos whilst groups who use the Ridgeway Centre, including Basingstoke Mencap, spoke to people on the services they offer.

In addition, firefighters from Basingstoke fire station spoke to homeowners on the steps they can take to protect their homes from the risk of fire and Buckskin and Worting Community Association spoke to the local community to see how they could improve the offering at the centre.

Marie Adams, community centre development manager at the Ridgeway Centre, told The Gazette: “It was really well attended. It was a celebration of our 15th anniversary and hopefully it will become an annual event.

“There are only three venues – the church, the school and us – and we are central to the community so it is a major part of the community. There used to be a lot of things for older people but we do have some very young people coming in which is very exciting.”

In addition to the clubs already operating from the Ridgeway Centre, two martial arts classes and a pre-school are expected to launch at the centre in September.