VILLAGERS stepped back in time at a special garden party in Bishop's Waltham.

The Jubilee Hall in Little Shore Lane was transported back to the Victorian era when about 50 people turned up in fancy dress last Sunday.

The event was organised by Georgina Busher, one of the town's representatives on Winchester City Council, in memory of her gardener, Chris Smith, who died of cancer aged 56 last November.

Around £275 was raised to go towards a new communal building for Bishop's Waltham Gardening Club, of which Mr Smith was a founding member.

The group already has a lottery fund of £10,000 and is hoping to raise another £15,000 for a proposed new toilet block and meeting room.

Mrs Busher said: "People had made a real effort to look the part, and we all had a wonderful time admiring each others' clothes.

"Some people had hired outfits, but a lot had contrived them from what they had available, and some items had come out of hiding after many years, including parasols and cameo brooches.

"There was a willing band of helpers, and a quiz organised by the chairman of the Gardening Club, Keith Fry.

"A highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of four guests in Peter Yeoman's immaculate Model T Ford.

"My granddaughter Annie sold raffle tickets, which raised nearly £60, and during the whole afternoon we were entertained by a trio which greatly added to the enjoyment of the occasion."

John Grover won the prize for Best Dressed Man', and the Best Dressed Woman' accolade went to a Mrs Palmer.

Mrs Busher hopes to organise a similar event next year.