Kingsclere 'bounces back' with awards and games

KINGSCLERE came back to life in style at the weekend with an event to draw the village back together.

The bounce back event, which took place on Saturday afternoon at the Fieldgate Centre and was organised by the Kingsclere Community Association, saw hundreds of villagers come together to enjoy music, archery, farm animals and a slide, while there was also a tug-of-war and Wellington boot-throwing contests.

There were stalls set up by the Kingsclere Village Club and the Kingsclere Royal British Legion, while the Kingsclere Performing Arts College also performed.

The parish council’s Making a Difference awards was also held, where dozens of selfless Kingsclere residents were honoured for their efforts over the past 18 months.

More than 60 local heroes were honoured across three sessions, with the certificates presented by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council mayor Onnalee Cubitt, Kingsclere resident and former racehorse trainer for the Queen the Earl of Huntingdon, and borough council leader Ken Rhatigan.

Speaking after the event, parish council chairman John Sawyer said the event had been “fantastic”.

He said: “The whole event was fantastic – it was just great to see Kingsclere at play and back doing what it does best.

“There were all sorts of events for the kids and it was lovely to see people sitting around having a cup of tea.

“The bar was open, there was lovely food, and the sun shone – what more could you want? It was very upbeat and a joyous occasion.

“Our awards were great, people were very pleased to receive awards.

“Lots of people turned up and it felt crowded.

“It was a great thing altogether and people were very complimentary about it.”

On Monday morning, there were further award ceremonies at the Kingsclere Village Butchers, the Kingsclere Pharmacy and Swan Street Stores, after the trio had been unable to make the bounce back event.