As well as that, Ashby councillor and chairman of Leicestershire, Dan Harrison, is now promoting the initiative as a platform for future progress for sport in the area.

Ashby's sports clubs were brought under one umbrella last year when Ashby Sport was formed with a view to uniting them in one organisation.

As a result, the inaugural Ashby Sport Fun Day was held on the Bath Grounds last summer.

It was a successful event which attracted a number of local clubs with a ‘come and have a go’ message.

The event will now return on Sunday, June 26, when organisers hope will even better than last year.

Cllr Harrison saw last year's Ashby Sport Fun Day for himself along with Mayor Rita Manning

With the Town Council’s backing, Ashby Sport Fun Day should be a fixture on the events calendar.

Ken Horn, who helped launch Ashby Sport, says the foundations have been put in place for the future with plenty of work going on behind the scenes over the past 12 months.

And Cllr Harrison, a former GB Judo player, hopes it can be the catalyst for an improved sports scene in Ashby.

Ken Told Ashby Nub News: “The backing of the Town Council gives the event authenticity, and provides energy for it.

“To get that backing after one year means we’re in a very healthy position.

Ashby Hockey Club was among those inviting the public to 'come and have a go' last June

“That’s a significant development.”

Cllr Harrison confirmed that the council would also be making a contribution called ‘seed money’ to give the event longevity.

Ken added: “The next significant development is that Cllr Harrison has agreed to be the representation of the Ashby Sport initiative within the Town Council itself.

“That started last year when Dan came to the event and can now hopefully drive the organisation forward at Town Council level.”

Cllr Harrison also a district as well as county councillor.

Even Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen got in on the act when he tried his hand at croquet. Photo: Andrewbridgen.com

Ken said: “The third element to this is that the Fun Day will be held on a Sunday this year, on June 26.

“We’ve had to fit it in around the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and we’ve changed it slightly as a lot of sport takes place on a Saturday.”

Ashby Sport has been promoting sport to young and old over the past year.

Cllr Harrison said: “It won’t just be the young, fit guys we want to include, it’ll be the whole spectrum.

“People who think: “I could have a go at that”. It’s very much sport for all.”

Local dignitaries and organisers lined up before the start of last year's event

Ken said last year’s event quickly achieved some of its objectives.

He added: “This is about increasing involvement and participation in sport.

“Last year, within 20 minutes of the event, we achieved that objective.

“That’s because the Croquet Club announced they had already had two new members!

“I spoke to Paul who runs the Poppy Appeal in Ashby, and he told me the bowls club has 18 new members. So we could see it works.

“Now want to build on that foundation.

“There are now 36 clubs participating in Ashby Sport.

“And we hope around 30 will be part of the Fun Day.”

Ashby Sport is also aware of the new houses being built in the town which will increase the population and potential interest in local sport.

Cllr Harrison added: “This is the growth factor we have to consider, it’ll be a brand new market for us.

“We have to see how we can build this into our community.”

He also hopes that Ashby Sport’s progression can help to improve the facilities for playing sport in the town.

Cllr Harrison added: “We have a lack of amenities here.

“Are there proper venues for sport in the town

“Part of our programme is that we’re desperately trying to find a site that will be able to support some of these things.

“We need to bring all of these thoughts together. At the moment, there’s no feeling of belonging and that’s what Ashby Sport is trying to do.

“But we’re right at the beginning of the story - the town needs better sporting facilities other than gyms. I support them, but people want to do other things they feel happy with. We want to create a sporting community.”

src: Ashby Nub News