HUNDREDS of people celebrated the Coronation at a special event at Alresford Station.

Organised by the Watercress Line, the event took place on Sunday, May 7 to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, which took place the day before.

Starting at 1pm in front of the station, there were scores of activities for young people, including face painting and glitter tattoos, alongside competitions including best cake and best gazebo.

The winners of the best-dressed gazebo competition, Julia and Jim Stansby and Pauline and Derek Mason, said that the day was “really lovely.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The winners of the best-dressed gazebo competitionThe winners of the best-dressed gazebo competition (Image: Newsquest)They continued: “It’s a really nice event and we’re really enjoying it.”

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Meanwhile, entertainment was provided throughout the afternoon by The Winchester Morris Men, The Alder Valley Brass Band and 1940’s style singer Stephanie Belle.

The event was compared by Paddy Roadnight, who said: “The people and the weather have both turned out really fine. Alresford can celebrate.”

Attendees were also treated to a special appearance by a train decorated specifically for the Coronation, which entered the station at 2.30pm. Guests were then invited to join in singing God Save The King.

Watercress Line interim CEO Rebecca Dalley said: “The biggest thing for us is just getting all these people here and being a real part of Alresford, it’s just a really seminal moment for the Watercress Line to join together the town and the line in a way we haven’t seen for a little while.

Hampshire Chronicle: Rebecca DalleyRebecca Dalley (Image: Newsquest)SEE ALSO: Annual Hampshire town festival to return with stalls, competitions and more

“So, it’s been a completely communal activity with the Alresford Town Council, the Winchester City Council, they’ve really supported the event, and all the people who come here. It’s absolutely a delightful day for us to showcase what we do and make a contribution to our local area.”

Event manager Stephanie Swann added: “I’m very pleased that so many people from the local community have come here, it’s really nice to see people coming together and I suppose that’s part of the reason I wanted to organise it.

“We have probably 500 or so people here, so it’s great that everyone wants to share in the Coronation.”