More than 185 people help celebrate volunteering in Thatcham

The second annual Thatcham and District Volunteer Recruitment Fair, organised by the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, was held on Saturday and the 25 organisations were on hand to talk about how, where and when, Thatcham and district residents could become involved with their work.
Organisations included Samaritans, Thatcham Vision, Royal British Legion, Home Start West Berkshire and the Old Bluecoat School.
The best stall this year was judged by Thatcham deputy town mayor, Mike Cole, and was awarded to Girlguiding Valley Division.
They were given a cheque for £75.
Newbury MP, Richard Benyon, also attended on the day.
Director of the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, Garry Poulson, said that about 185 people came through the doors and that they had picked the organisations specifically because they were "Thatcham-centric" ones - either because they were based in the town or did a lot of their work in the town.
He said: "We were very pleased with the turn-out despite the torrential rain the early part of the morning.
"There was a very nice buzz in the room and a good lively atmosphere.
"People have been saying it was a great event.
"People are always saying that they didn't realise that some of the organisations existed."
Mr Poulson said that this was encouraging as they wanted people to realise the variety of organisations within the community.
He added that there was every intention to hold the event again next year.