Pauline Bott promotes the New Buckenham Silver Band at the New Buckenham activities festival. Photograph Simon Parker

Community spirit was out in full force in a south Norfolk village on Saturday when residents were invited to find out about clubs and organisations on their doorsteps.

Stuart Riseborough (L to R) Steve Harris, Chris Cope and Paul Cotton of the New Buckenham war game club with their display at the New Buckenham activities festival. Photograph Simon Parker

The hum of chatter and the aroma of coffee and cake filled New Buckenham village hall as nearly 20 groups - including sports, art, music and gardens groups - showcased their talents in a bid to attract new members.

Juliet Fulford from the village hall trust, who organised the event, said that the aim was to make people more aware of the facilities and activities on offer on the village.

“We are trying to ensure the village hall is being used to its full capacity. We realise that a lot of people have moved into the village and don’t want to attend meeting but want to get involved and help with societies.”

She said that the village hall was currently fundraising to buy solar panels and to upgrade the kitchen.

New Buckenham Silver Band were appealing for a new drummer to join their group.

Pauline Bott, chairman of the band, said: “In March 2011 we were at the point of folding because we were so short of people. We needed to get the funding in. Now we have around 14 members in full concert.”

Mrs Bott, who has played the baritone for 25 years, added that the group was looking for more people to join.

The event proved to be a success with people signing up to new organisations.

Bob Levett, who lives in Haugh Road and who runs Good Companions, said: “I have found out about clubs on offer. I have decided that I am going to join the badminton club and my wife is going to start playing bridge.”

Stuart Riseborough, who belongs to the war games club, praised the lively atmosphere.

“I have lived in bigger places where there’s no sense of community spirit. It’s fantastic here - they have got people from all sorts of generations,” he said.