WHITEHILL and Bordon residents were out in force recently at two outdoor events at Prince Philip Barracks.

A bicycle tour of the barracks and an open-air screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens proved popular with children and adults of all ages and requests have been made for the events to be held again.

The bicycle tour took place at lunchtime, attracting more than 30 cyclists.

Guide Malcolm McEwan gave an informative tour of the barracks, which took in sections that had never before been seen by the public, including access to two hangers.

Alice Holt Cycle Centre provided the bikes, including motorised and adapted ones.

The Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, which is developing the barracks site as part of a plan to redevelop the town, is hoping to hold another bicycle tour in the autumn, taking in a different section of the former military base.

In the evening more than 200 cinema-goers, many dressed as well-known characters from the film, attended a showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Parade Ground. The event was organised by the town’s Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre and the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company.

Greeted at the base by ‘Princess Leia’ and ‘storm troopers’, guests were handed welcome packs with essentials for film watching – the all-important radio frequency to listen to the film and a flag to wave for placing food and drink orders.

Swiss Miss Cakes, Rkdia and Sweet Cart food supplied hot and cold food and alcoholic and soft drinks.

There was also a fancy dress contest.

The Regeneration Company is planning to hold another outdoor cinema event, in partnership with The Phoenix, and would like residents to submit suggestions for what film to watch. Visit the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration page on Facebook or email Naomi Metcalfe at [email protected] to submit recommendations.

Naomi Metcalfe, community development officer at the Regeneration Company, said: “What a fantastic day for events.

“We were delighted with how many of our local community in Whitehill and Bordon attended the bicycle tour and the open-air cinema. Congratulations to our fancy dress winners for their brilliant costumes. We have received positive feedback and look forward to holding more events like this, which bring our community together.”

Rob Allerston, Phoenix Theatre director, said: “The success of our first ever drive-in cinema can be gauged by the party atmosphere and number of families that came.”