A HUGE summer party that saw thousands of attendees last year is set to return to a new and growing residential area.

Heyford Park Summer Fun Day is back on Saturday, July 23, with a whole host of activities and stalls planned from 11am to 9pm on Wellington Road, Bicester.   

Organised by the Heyford Park Social Committee – a self-organised group of six residents who brought the Heyford Park community together with online quizzes and bingo during lockdown – the event promises live music, community stalls, food and drink, zorbing and inflatable activities.

Elliott Davey, a member of the committee, said: “We ran this event for the first-time last year. The community loved it, so we wanted to do it again.

“Last year we raised money for Oxford Hospitals Charity and a number of local businesses, including Heyford Park Pantry and our local running club.

“We also donated money to around 15 community groups last year.”

Guests can enjoy live music from noon until 9pm, with songs being performed by local bands including a rock choir and a ukulele group from Didcot.

There will be around 40 stalls present on the day open from 11am to 6pm, offering everything from cakes to candles, jewellery and utilities.

In Addition, the emergency services will be positioned with their own stalls, giving CPR and defibrillator training displays.

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Katie Hullah, co-organiser of the event, said: “We just want to bring the community together.

“We’re a new village that’s growing, and we think it’s important for everybody to get to know their neighbours.

“Last year we had thousands of people in attendance, this year we are hoping for even more.

“We’re expecting a huge turnout, the bigger the better.

“We’re also very keen to put money back into the community, whether to local businesses or to charities.”

Miss Hullah added that the party is open to anyone and everyone, and entry is free.

She also mentioned that donations had been made by local businesses to the event’s raffle.

The event is being delivered in partnership with Dorchester, the development company behind Heyford Park, who are providing food, drink and the space to hold the celebration.

The Heyford Park Social Committee formed during lockdown when a group of six Heyford Park residents took on the task of reconnecting the community.

Mr Davey said: “We began by organising online bingo and quizzes for people during lockdown.

“It was just a chance to have social time with others, and it grew incredibly.

“We had at least 70 people turning up to the quizzes and were delivering bottles of wine to the winners’ households.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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