FOLLOWING from the Coronation celebrations, Romsey residents attended the Big Help Out Volunteer Market to learn how they could help good causes.

Groups including Romsey and Waterside Lions, Jane Scarth House, Romsey Girl Guides and more attended the event, which took place at the Cornmarket and Piazza from 10am to 1pm on Monday, May 8.

The market was run as part of the national Big Help Out campaign, which was held to mark the coronation of King Charles III. Volunteer organisations up and down the country, including the scouts, arranged events, while local groups also banded together to do work in their communities.

Hampshire Chronicle: At the Romsey market, residents were given the opportunity to learn more about how the various organisations work and what they could do to help out. Due to the wet weather, stalls were set up both in and outside the town hall.

Town councillor Janet Burnage said that she thought the market had “gone very well”, saying that she “had been introduced to groups I didn’t know operated in Romsey. It’s opened our eyes a little bit.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Janet BurnageCllr Janet Burnage (Image: Newsquest)SEE ALSO: Seventeen pictures showing Romsey's coronation street party celebrations

Representatives from the Romsey Show were in attendance, with Malcolm Hartas saying: “Considering the weather it’s gone quite well. We’ve had some people take an interest and leave their details.”

Meanwhile, inside the Cornmarket, Janet Caivney, from the Voices for Hospice Choir, said that the day had “gone fine”, while the chief officer of Citizen’s Advice Test Valley, Ange Moon, said “It’s been very busy”.

Speaking to the Romsey Advertiser, the mayor of Romsey, Cllr Neil Gwynne said: “What volunteers can achieve is staggering. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to be happy with the amount of people who have signed up.

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Neil GwynneCllr Neil Gwynne (Image: Newsquest)“I’m really chuffed it’s happened and it’s the sort of thing the town hall should be used for.”