THOUSANDS of people enjoyed an afternoon of fun in the sun at one of Tadley’s biggest community events.
Organised and run by the Loddon Valley Lions Club, the Tadley Treacle Fair took place on Sunday, June 4, with plenty of activities, attractions and stalls for young and old to enjoy.
Raising money for the Tadley community, groups in the wider district and humanitarian aid, the club hopes to have raised around £12,000 from the fair.
Member John Goodchild, who will become the club’s president in July, said: “It went exceedingly well from our point of view. The weather was very kind to us and that brought lots of people into the fair.
“All of the arena acts were very much enjoyed by all and sundry, particularly Jez Avery doing his stunt show.”
Other acts in the main arena included Dance Phaze, a martial arts display from Matt Fiddes Martial Arts and an Ashford Hill School Choir concert.
Lions clubs from around the area also lent a hand to make the event a success, with the club from Reading hosting a human fruit machine and Basingstoke put on a golf game.
A craft fair was held in a marquee, along with circus skills for children and a line-up of classic cars for fair-goers to marvel at.
Kit Malthouse MP, North West Hampshire: “As always the Treacle Fair was a really happy celebration of the Tadley community spirit. Slathered in sun cream for the first time this year, we had a lot of fun watching everything from ferret racing to formation dancing and came away laden down with goodies. Well done to the Lions for another splendid event."
John thanked current president Jane Saunders who has been “fantastic” in the role this year.
Despite the success of this year’s fair, John said the annual event could come to an end if the Lions Club cannot attract younger members.
“The real problem we face is staffing the fair because unfortunately, we need new younger and more able-bodied members to join us,” he said.
“Our more aged members are retiring from the club, and it is getting beyond our capabilities to do the manual jobs.
“If anybody could spare a little bit of their time to come and support our activities we would be very glad.”
John said that it is not just the Treacle Fair that is in danger, but also its Father Christmas tour which visits Tadley and the surrounding villages each year.
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