There was singing and dancing in the rain on Sunday as dozens of residents raised a glass to 80 years of a family-run estate in Petersfield.

There was an outpouring of emotion in Broadway Park as residents and special guests came together to mark eight decades of the park home estate off The Causeway.

The development has humanitarian beginnings as Alan Broadway relocated a “lot of trams” to the site in the 1940s to house wartime evacuees from Portsmouth.

But the attraction of open fields and country life meant most didn’t return with the same close-knit community ethos remaining onsite today.

People from five generations of the family who have run the estate joined the party at the weekend with music by the talented Archie Mac and Delvis. Nibbles and food was also served to the outdoor crowd with brollies raised in a very British show of determination amid spells of rainfall.

The party also had a VE Day theme with Roly Foster, grandson of Alan Broadway, calling the estate one of Petersfield’s best kept secrets.

He said: “A lot of people don’t realise this place actually exists because it’s so tucked away from the main road.

“There’s no dogs, no children, and everyone who lives here is either retired or semi-retired of a similar age.

“It’s so peaceful and quiet and tranquil with the fields and the bottom of the down. It’s no wonder so many people move away and then come back.”

Janet Lake may have lived on Broadway Park the longest as she moved to Hazel Walk 21 years ago, having previously lived on the estate for seven years in the 70s.

She said: “I lived with on the park from 1969 to 1976 when I was married, but I left and came back.

“It’s a great place to live. You can walk easily into town and there’s a real community feel with people looking out for each other.

“It’s just a pleasant place to be and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Sue Busby is another resident who was lured back to Broadway Park after spells in Waterlooville and Clanfield.

She said: “I came back in 2017 as my children live in the area and I grew up here – I know the town and its people.

“It’s just nice to be here and I’m in a lovely place surrounded by really nice people and I’m sure everyone else feels the same.”

Cuttings and photos from the estate’s past were also on display with Mr Foster thanking everyone for joining the joint VE Day and Broadway Park party and the volunteers who made the day possible.

“I spoke to a few of you, the debate is still out on which side of the park is best to live on,” said mayor of Petersfield, Cllr Chris Paige, who was invited to the party.

“I’m absolutely honoured to join you today to celebrate 80 years, especially with the history and connection to the evacuees – thank you, all.”