Hundreds pour in for Aldingbourne centre's event

The event to highlight the range of activities which take place at the Olivers Meadow facility was visited by between 400 and 500 people.

They could try football, bowls, darts, pre-school activities, target shooting and tennis.

A bouncy castle, face painting and model railway provided plenty of fun as well.

The event gave those who went along the chance to view the recent improvements to the building.

This included refurbished toilets to update the previous 1970s style, a revamped hallway and new ceiling.

The biggest exterior improvement has been the installation of CCTV cameras last August to wipe out the vandalism which frequently blighted the centre.

The turnout for the open day was down on previous occasions because of a clash with other community events.

But the secretary of the centre's trustees, Mike Burton, said those who went along enthusiastically joined in the sports.

"It was an absolutely superb event. Every club at the centre benefited from it by gaining new members.

"The usage of the centre has increased by about 70 per cent in the two years since the present trustees took it on to some 10,000 people a year.

"The number of user clubs has gone up from four to almost 20," he said.

The centre's next occasion is a plant sale at noon on June 15. After that, the trustees intend to revive the Six Village tug of war contest after a lapse of some 15 years.

This will take place at a picnic in the park event on September 6.