VILLAGERS of North Baddesley celebrated their village day in style.

North Baddesley Village Day is a yearly event for all the community and hundreds of villages and visitors turned out to have a good time.

There were craft stalls, children’s games, entertainment, a martial demonstration, archery, falconry, charity stands, plant sales, a tombola, glitter tattoos, food and drink.

And to top it all Southampton Football Club legend Matt Le Tissier opened the event.

Some of the local groups wowing the crowds included Romsey Taekwondo Club.

Alex Overy club instructor said: “We demonstrated kicks, punches, blocks and some knife attacks and we had some black belts breaking wood with kicks and punches. It’s the first time our club has come. We’ll be back next year. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain next year. “

Jane Cunliffe, a member of the club, added: “It went really well. We’re trying to get people interested. To let them know that there’s more to life than sitting indoors on an iPad.”

North Baddesley Scouts and Cubs were also a the event.

Assistant scout leader David Hole said: “We want to raise awareness of the group and encourage people to join. It’s been great. The kids have had loads of marshmallows, enjoyed the fire and all got involved.

Adam Coulthard, scout leader, added: “There were a couple of down pours but it’s been good. Lots of interest from both adults and children. Hopefully we will get some more helpers.”

The event also saw a number of talks take place. North Baddesley Historical Society were equipped with display boards to tell the history of the local villages.

Club member Sylvia Webb said: “It’s been like a reunion. People have come along and their parents are in our photos. We are trying to get younger villagers involved and we want to name some people in the photographs. We’ve had quite bit of luck with that.”

Elsewhere, Shelley Fahy, vice chair of North Baddesley Infants School PTA, was running a Beat the Goalie stand where children or adults could try to score against Charlie Searles, goalkeeper with Havant and Waterlooville FC.

They were also auctioning off signed football shirts; one was an England shirt with David Beckham, Wayne Rooney’s and Frank Lampard’s signatures on it.

Shelley said: “We are trying to fund improvements to the school playground by what we are doing today. We’ve had a £75 bid for the England shirt. Apart from the rain it’s been lovely.”