MORE than 1,500 packed into The Romsey Memorial Park last Sunday for the Mayor’s Picnic organised by The Rotary Club of Romsey Test.  

It turned out to be a typical English summer's day of heavy clouds, bright sunshine and torrential rain but that didn’t deter the afternoon full of fun and talented entertainment.

The Mayoral party was welcomed at the park by Clive Collier, newly elected President of The Rotary Club of Romsey Test.

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There was choral music and a big band (Image: Stuart Martin)

Town Mayor, Councillor John Parker, was delighted with the high attendance and described the Picnic as a brilliant community event.

The Romsey Old Cadets, dressed in wizard outfits, lead the procession through the town to the Memorial Park.  With a master wizard in charge, the band, provided their usual entertaining antics at the start of the event.  They have a gift of engaging happy youngsters to take part.

The Park was full with a large number of local charities and stalls. Children were entertained by Punch and Judy, the Carnival fancy dressed competition and rides on the miniature steam train.

During the afternoon the park was filled with sound from the bandstand. Music and singing was provided by The Mountbatten Big Band and the 100 strong group, Anchoiring.

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Missing this year was the ever popular fundraising  contraption, the “Soaka-Bloka, Drencha-Wecha, Dunka-Hunka”.  The device has been retired. That may have been just as well given the wet weather conditions. 

The annual charity Duck Race drew a large crowd alongside the river bank to watch 50 named yellow plastic ducks raced down the fast flowing stream to be caught at the finishing line by the Romsey Sub-Aqua club.  The winning duck was named George.  The Duck Race raised money for charity.

The Romsey District Scouts set up an elaborate assault course for youngsters to enjoy the physical challenge of walking across a rope bridge, or climbing a netted timber structure.

President of the Rotary Club of Romsey Test, Clive Collier, expressed his thanks for everyone who helped to make the picnic such a successful event. The Club organizes the event as a ‘thank you’ to the town for its generous support of Rotary activities throughout the year. 

Proceeds from the Picnic, other than those raised by stallholders, will all go to the Town Mayor’s chosen charities and Rotary charities.