THERE was something for all the family to enjoy at this year’s Hatch Warren Summer Festival.

From rock climbing to zorb football, there were activities aplenty at the Hatch Warren Community centre, Long Cross Lane, on Saturday, July 16.

The free event got underway with a crew from RAF Odiham flying a Chinook on the playing fields at the centre, along with displays from Basingstoke fire service and Hampshire Constabulary.

Event manager Karen Coomber said she hadn’t anticipated how popular the event would be and was overwhelmed by the support.

She said: “The amount of footfall was incredible, at one point we ran out of cakes and hot food, but I guess we will learn to do more next year.

“We just wanted to make an event that really brought the whole community together and I think we achieved that, and there was something for everyone.

“The whole day just had such a lovely atmosphere.”

Hatch Warren and Beggerwood ward councillor Terri Reid praised Ms Coomber and the rest of the committee for all their efforts.

She said: “It was fantastic to see so many local people coming together to have fun, picnic on the field and enjoy the many activities.”

Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Jane Frankum was among the guests at the event, shown around the site and seeing the range of more than 40 different activities on offer.

Cllr Frankum said: “Karen and her team, including her daughter, put on a great event, just underlining my mayoral theme that anyone can get involved with volunteering.

“It was obvious everyone had a great day, especially the little ones when the bubble machine blew loads of bubbles that they tried to catch. “It truly was a lovely event that Tony and I enjoyed immensely.”