A MULTICULTURAL event cancelled due to city council budget constraints may have been thrown a lifeline by a community fun day on an Oxford estate.

The Oxford Mela, which last year attracted 5,000 people to Cowley Marsh for music and sport, will not take place this year, but the organisers of the new Rose Hill Summer Fun Day have said they would be welcome at their party.

The event, on Saturday, June 27, has secured £2,500 from Bryant Homes, the company responsible for housing regeneration on the estate.

It has also donated £1,500 to the Rose Hill Children’s Centre.

Organiser Amanda Edwards-Day, of Newlin Close, said: “We’d like to hear from any performers disappointed by the lack of a Mela this year.

“We will do what we can to include them so that no-one misses out.”

The summer fun day is the first large-scale community event to take place in Rose Hill for a number of years.

Mrs Edwards-Day, 35, said: “With this sponsorship we hope to buy things like bouncy castles and trampolines, as well as large outside games such as garden Jenga and snakes and ladders.

“Thanks to this money we can start thinking of this as a sustainable annual event as these things can be used year after year.

“We hope to make this a day that everyone can enjoy, without the burden of cost.

“This money means that we can offer activities and attractions that are free to all.

“The day is being organised entirely by four volunteers who live and work on the estate.

“What we’re really hoping is that this event will showcase local talents and enthusiasm. We hope to create an environment that will help break down the type of negative stereotype that has dogged Rose Hill and surrounding areas.

“Rose Hill has many cultures, religions and ethnicities represented by its inhabitants and we are hoping this fun day will be well attended by all, young and old.”

The event, in the grounds of Rose Hill Primary School, in The Oval, already has a circus school, craft show, face painting, fairground rides, art activities, a fancy dress parade and music and singing groups.

Young Oxford band The Vibe, which has members from Rose Hill and has played sold-out gigs at the O2 Academy, are also set to entertain the crowd.

To get involved, call Mrs Edwards-Day on 01865 430666 or visit the event’s Facebook group by searching for Rose Hill Summer Fun Day.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk