Mapledurwell and Up Nately were delighted to be the first villages in the borough to kick off 'The Big Help Out' Coronation event in Basingstoke and Deane to mark His Majesty the King's Coronation.

To mark the Coronation, thousands of organisations across the country are getting together to give all the chance to help out in our own local communities. The Big Help Out is open to all, and any organisation or individual can join in with or register an event via the app.

The Big Help Out is a voluntary initiative supported by some of the UK’s biggest volunteer organisations, including the Scouts and the Royal Voluntary Service, as well as the Shaping the Future with Volunteering group of the UK’s leading volunteer-involving charities.

Mapledurwell and Up Nately Parish organised a hugely successful 'Litter Pick for the King' event, which was supported by a Coronation Grant from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Over 30 eager litter pickers managed to collect over 40 bags of rubbish from the local roads, lanes and part of the A30, with one or two very interesting items being collected.

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The event, which was organised by Sue Smart from Mapledurwell with the help of Abbie Hayes from Up Nately, was supported by a great team of helpers from the two villages. The afternoon culminated with a barbecue at the Mapledurwell and Up Nately Village Hall, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke Cllr Paul and Sandra Miller.

Basingstoke Gazette: The event which was organised by Sue Smart from Mapledurwell with the help of Abbie Hayes from Up

Hugo Cubitt, a local resident and owner of Cubitt Builders, said: "This 'Litter Pick for the King' was such a great success because it was with purpose, brought our community together, and enabled us to celebrate the coronation of our new King, His Majesty King Charles III. God save the King."