Tadley Treacle Fair ‘an amazing success’

More than 1,000 people flocked to Saunders Field on Sunday as Tadley Treacle Fair returned for another year, writes Martha White.

Loddon Valley Lions have been running the event for the past 40 years and the 2025 fair took months of planning and a whole week of field set up.

The mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Colin Phillimore officially opened the fair at 12.45am, following a performance from Dance Phaze.

Loddon Valley Lions fundraising chair Jane Saunders, said: “It was very manic but an amazing success.

“This year we had a great turn out.”

Vanessa Tolson Goddard, welfare chair and PR for Loddon Valley Lions, said: “A ‘Lion’s Den’ will be held in November to give grants to local groups as we have done the past few years.”

She also said: “There was a fabulous display of vintage and classic vehicles this year too.”

Performances from The Old Basing British Legion Band, Paws for Thought dog display team and Dance Phaze took place throughout the fair.

ROCON sponsored the tea tent, with treats, cakes and tea, and also sponsored the Lions tombola stall which had around 400 prizes available.

Tadley Sainsbury’s donated 101 coconuts to the fair’s shy and there was a beer tent, run by Longdog Brewery.

All the profits from the event will be given to good causes in the community.

If you would like to become a Loddon Valley Lions member, contact Alan via email membership@loddonvalleylions.org