A HEALTH check, free lunch and the chance to meet new people were on offer at a health and wellbeing event at Bordon’s Forest Community Centre on Sunday.

Centre manager Lindsay Kelly described the event as “a huge success”.

Praising Michael Rutland who organised the event, which was aimed at the 40 to 74 year olds, Ms Kelly said: “Our numbers were slightly down (due to the Apple Tasting Day taking place at the same time), but everyone who came said how much they had enjoyed the experience.”

Working with Radian, Community First and the Whitehill and Bordon Community Association, and supported by developer the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, Rushmoor Healthy Living, Mill Chase Leisure and St Mark’s Church, the centre offered visitors a chance to have their weight, blood pressure, height and cholesterol checked before a free, healthy, soup and fruit muffin lunch, provided free by Radian caterer RKdia.

In the main hall were stalls run by groups while a jazz band helped to create an upbeat atmosphere.

Among the stall holders were Living In Harmony, The Jubilee Church, St Mark’s Church, 24 Fit Boot Camp, Yukaladies, Quit for Life and the Bordon Food Bank. There were drumming, meditation, and hand massage workshops; and visitors, as they walked around, were given recipe cards and leaflets on health products and tips on how to stay healthy.

Naomi Metcalfe, community development officer for the Whitehill and Bordon

Regeneration Company, said: “The regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon will

see the area become an economically prosperous and healthy new town, and there are ambitious plans to improve health and well-being.

“Events like this remind the local community about how important their own

health and well-being is, and how small changes can make a big difference.

Ms Kelly added: “We had a good flow of visitors and it was a great success. One

lady said she had arrived not feeling a 100 per cent but had made several friends

and was going to join some of the groups she had talked to in the hall.”

She added that there would be another health and well-being event next year,

adding: “Blackmoor Apple Farm is going to provide us with fruit.”