Add your events to Olympic diary (From Bicester Advertiser)

Add your events to Olympic diary

3:00pm Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

RESIDENTS are being invited to add to a programme of sporting events to celebrate the Olympics.

Eight events celebrating sport and culture have already been organised for the summer.

They are part of the nationwide Community Games Project aimed at bringing together communities and getting more people into sport.

Oxfordshire Sports Partnership has been given £5,000 by games organisers and £250 is available for each event.

In the spirit of the Olympics, each must have cultural and sport elements and an opening and closing ceremony.

County organiser Graham Hurst said: “The word is starting to get out in Oxfordshire. It is coming along nicely.”

Anyone wanting to organise an event will get advice from the partnership, as well as materials like stickers and certificates.

Mr Hurst, left, said the £250 could go on expenses like a PA system or providing food for volunteers.

The first event was at Dr Radcliffe’s CoE Primary School, Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, on Friday last week.

Youngsters enjoyed dance, music and drama along with running, jumping and throwing.

Another organisation set to hold an event is Banbury Young Homelessness Project, at its Chandos Close headquarters, on August 4.

Organiser Anna Colao said: “There will be a mix of activities, some sporty and some cultural, so everyone can get involved.”

Activities include boxing sessions, street dance workshops and an egg and spoon race.

Other events already planned include:

• Abingdon: Hales Meadow, Culham Road, 9.30am-7pm, June 4. Six-a-side cricket and food.

• Banbury: People’s Park, 10am-3pm, July 25. To include obstacle courses, sport sessions, art workshops.

• Witney: The Leys Recreation Ground, 10am-3pm, August 1. Activities include go-karting, climbing wall, arts and crafts.

• Kidlington: Exeter Hall Park, Oxford Road, 11am-3pm, August 8. Activities include a climbing wall, martial arts and face painting.

• Oxford: Bury Knowle Park, Headington, 1pm-5pm, August 12.

• Farmoor: Hill End Centre, Eynsham Road, 10am-3pm, September 15. Activities include a camp fire and arts and crafts.

• For information go to communitygames.org.uk or call Mr Hurst on 01865 252661.

A workshop on holding events is at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s, on Thursday, June 7, at 6.30pm.