HOT on the heels of the Olympics, the inaugural Haslemere Festival of Sport last bank holiday Monday saw some 700 people enjoying 18 different sports and activities.

The event at Woolmer Hill sports centre was one of thousands held around the country under the ‘I Am Team GB’ banner aimed at getting people into sport, with an open invitation to ‘Pick up and Play’ from a host of local clubs.

Getting into the spirit, South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt and his young family were seen trying out a number of different sports and town mayor Sahran Abeysundara wore both his chain of office and trainers in a tour of the venues.

Swallows Trampoline Club was one of the busiest with two trampoline beds constantly on the go. Club secretary Lynn Joyce said: “We were inundated with people wanting to bounce and have had a lot of enquires already.”

Meanwhille Haslemere Hockey Club chairman Isobel O’Neil reported: “We had a constant stream of people, mainly children wanting to play hockey and wanting to join the club.”

Also demonstrating their sports on the two astro pitches were Haslemere Town Football Club, the town’s rugby tennis and bowls clubs, all reported great levels of interest and many potential new members including young children and teenagers trying out bowls for the first time.

Sport Haslemere chairman Peter Lawrence said: “One of the star attractions was Haslemere Sub Aqua Club, who had brought along a rib boat for children to clamber over and they were then shown how to work a demand valve before dunking their heads into a tank of water. VC Godalming and Haslemere Cycling Club had several static racing bikes which had many dads drooling over.

“Inside in the Edge Leisure complex, Haslemere Hurricanes Netball club were very busy and the coaches at Edge Badminton Club reported great interest in this demanding and skilful sport.

“Fernhurst Table Tennis Club brought along a number of their young star players, and Paul Beech showed off his martial arts.”

There were also two dance schools to enjoy – Hilary Marston School of Ballet and Haslemere Performing Arts. Yoga and pilates lessons in the dance studio also proved very popular.

Adding to the festival atmosphere, Brian Howard brought together a collection of vintage cars and the Smoothie Bike provided endless entertainment, while Faith and Darren Woodger provided food, drink and a barbecue.

Mr Lawrence thanked all the clubs, businesses and local organisations for making the day possible – as well as the wonderful facilities at Woolmer Hill and The Edge.

He said: “These are unrivalled facilities in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire and it is fantastic to see so many people enjoying a sport or activity at Woolmer Hill and hopefully joining one of the many clubs in the area with their great facilities.

“This was a true festival of sport, which was enjoyed by so many and to be repeated and enlarged with more local clubs and more attractions in future years.”