First winner of Barnham draw

He was the first winner of the 200 Club of backers set up to boost fundraising for the village's new community centre and sports project.

Mr Roberts was presented with his 500 cheque by Caroline Betsworth, the 200 Club organiser, and parish councillor Terry Bedford, the chairman of the new hall project team at the event on Monday, May 5.

Further draws for the club will be made on the last Thursday of each month, starting in June, at the Murrell Arms pub.

Future prizes will be closer to 1,000 once the club's membership has swelled from its initial near 100 founders.

The draw was the highlight of a successful fair to publicise the ambitious scheme to provide 21st century community facilities.

Cllr Bedford said: "The day was a huge success. It was absolutely amazing how many people turned out. We were really pleased to have such tremendous support from the community."

The event on Murrell's Field was packed with activities for all ages. They included a tractor pulling competition, miniature train rides, a bouncy castle and bouncy slide and an ex-British Army 185mm howitzer gun as well as hook a duck and bat a rat contests.

There was also face painting and a craft corner.

The parish council is leading efforts to build a 1.55m community centre on Murrell's Field with a main hall, community hall and room for a GP's clinic.

It will also contain changing rooms for an adult and a junior football pitch to be created on the field along with a cricket wicket and a trim trail.