COMMUNITY leaders hope to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in Barton by holding a programme of summer activities to keep bored children off the streets.

The community has received £9,000 from the city council’s youth ambition grant programme to run activities all summer.

Organisers have also decided to run the Barton Bash in August this year, after three years of holding it in November.

Barton Community Association secretary Sue Holden said the extra summer events and the Barton Bash were all part of a wider attempt to clamp down on antisocial behaviour.

She said: “We try to make sure there is so much going on for these kids they don’t have time to be bored.

“The more we put on, the less problem we have on the estate.

“The Barton Bash is now viewed by many as the main community event of the year as it just encompasses everybody.

“It is not for one particular group in the community.”

She added that the move to August would mean the festival would not clash with other events in Oxford.

She said: “It always used to be in June, but so much goes on that time of year.

“It was in November for about three years, but a lot happens in December so we decided to move it again.”

The Barton Bash, which will run from noon to 4.30pm on Saturday, August 31, will be opened by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith.

Mr Smith said: “The Barton Bash is always a great celebration of the fine community spirit in Barton and a showcase for the many organisations and local residents who do so much for the area. It’s good fun and nice this year they’ve been able to move it back to the summer. I’m looking forward to it, and will keep my fingers crossed for some good summer weather.”

Among the activities at the event will be face painting, hair braiding, henna tattoos, an art and craft area and activities in the area’s multi-use games area.

There will also be health and keep-fit activities for adults, and performances from the Messy Jam dance school and Barton Karate.

Messy Jam principal Ellisha Peart said: “We’re looking forward to it. We were originally a Barton-based dance school anyway, so it feels like home.

“A lot of the kids are from Barton and a lot of the parents help out, so it should be really good.”

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We are pleased to be able to award Barton Community Association this grant.

“The amount we have awarded will provide a wide range of activities including creative art, dance, education and training opportunities for young people on the estate and introducing them to a ‘grow your own’ through an allotment project.”