Pinehurst Fun Day is an annual fixture attracting thousands of people.

But this year's was axed because of the Covid outbreak.

The event on Pinehurst Circle is a permanent fixture on the summer calendar, so much so that organisers don’t usually publicise it to keep numbers manageable.

Kirsty Davies from Penhill has attended every year for the past five years and said it was much missed this summer.

“It gives everyone something to look forward to,” she said. “Especially the kids, but even us adults as we get to meet up with other people and have a natter.”

“It brings the whole town together as one community. It’s a good place for kids to go to have fun and even with other kids they don’t know,” she said.

Kirsty used to take her daughter, Ava-Louise, eight, along too.

“My daughter loved it, it was such a fun day out,” Kirsty said.

“She loved the tombola, face painting, the cake stall. She loved walking around and looking at everything. She always got excited, looking forward to go.”

The day, which is designed to be a celebration of the good things in Pinehurst, would have been in its 16th year had it not been for Covid. It attracts around 3,000 attendees each year.

Kerrie Barrett, from Pinehurst, has gone for the past five years, taking her three children aged 18, 15, and 12.

“It was really missed this year,” Kerrie said.

“It just felt like you lost something. The one day you do hold dear every year is the Pinehurst Fun Day and not to have it just felt like a really big loss.”

She added: “It means a lot within the community. It pulls Pinehurst and Penhill together.”

Simon Halls, who coordinates the team behind the day said: “It’s been a sad loss for all of us.

"We were disappointed not to run it this year. But we’re beginning to plan next year’s already.”