Hyde Abbey Road residents celebrate summer with a street party

Hyde Abbey Road was closed throughout Sunday, August 18 as around 60 people enjoyed the good weather for the beach-themed party. 

Hursley Butchers provided a hog roast and Hyde Tavern the drinks. There was short tennis, a children's piñata, dog show and raffle to raise money for Winchester GO LD, which supports adults with learning difficulties. 

The dog show was won by Burnie, a bernedoodle which is a cross between a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle. 

Burnie the bernedoodle (Image: Newsquest)

A fiercely competitive tug-of-war was also contested, with house's odd numbers pitted against even numbers. 

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Vicki Atherton, who has lived in Hyde Abbey Road for 21 years, was one of the organisers. She said: “We do these events every other year, but there is an aspiration to make them once a year. It's really nice to meet new neighbours and it's nice for all the kids to be able to play in the road, it's so nice not to have the cars here. 

“We've had the hog roast from the Hursley Butchers, we've got the Hyde Tavern which is our local pub, also short tennis from Osman Tennis just round the corner and a raffle in aid of Winchester GO LD. 

Hyde Abbey Road street party (Image: Newsquest)

“These events have been happening since we moved here. 

“It's a friendly street anyway, but it's so nice for neighbours who have never met before to spend time together. It's nice to do something positive instead of moaning about parking or potholes.”

Jan Theodore, landlady at The Hyde Tavern, said: “It's great fun, especially when there are people you know and you get a day out with hopefully no waste. The hog roast was fantastic.”

The hog roast was provided by husband and wife team Brian and Vanessa Cheater. Brian said: "It's been brilliant. I've owned Hursley Butchers for the last 25 years. We do a lot of outside catering and hog roasts now. They've loved it, this is a great idea.”