Record turnout for popular community event

Over 2,000 people flocked to the main hub of the event at the Greasley Sports Centre – over double the number that went last year.

Hundreds more attended events at local pubs, clubs and churches.

Greasley Gathering secretary, Rita Pickering, was over the moon with the event’s success last Bank Holiday Monday.

“It was such a fantastic day,” she said.

“The best turnout we’ve had so far by a long way. Absolutely crowded everywhere.”

The event was such a hit, local pubs ran out of food, and some stalls ran out of stock by early afternoon.

Rita said: “I went round the local pubs at 6pm for a prize draw and they were all still packed. The managers said they had been non-stop since the doors had opened.”

As always the big hit of the day was the red London bus tours. The buses take a tour of the parish, stopping off at various locations.

“People call it the red London bus day!”, said Rita.

“We had two buses going at the same time but it still wasn’t enough to ferry all the people around.”

Rita said another highlight was the dog and duck show, which attracted huge crowds.

The event secretary put the success down to more and more people hearing about the event each year.

“I think it just grows in popularity each year because we are getting more well known,” she said.

“We hold it on the same day each year as well which I think helps, so people remember it.”

The Greasley Gathering committee raises money from the tombola, refreshments and donations from the bus tours. This money, along with donations from local councils, pays for the following year’s event.

Broxtowe Borough Council and Greasley Parish Council each donated £1,000 for this year’s event. Individual councillors also made donations.

The Greasley Gathering started out as a celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee back in 2012.

It was such a huge hit, organisers carried on running it each year as a family fun day for the whole community.