DANCING, biscuit decorating and face painting were among the highlights of a fun day marking an Oxford family centre’s silver-themed 25th anniversary.

About 200 people got stuck into cakes, chocolate fondue and dance routines as part of Donnington Doorstep Family Centre’s birthday celebrations on Saturday.

The celebrations, jointly organised by Donnington Playgroup, Community Centre and the Neighbourhood and Residents Association, attracted children, parents and grandparents.

Anna Thorne, manager of the family centre, in Townsend Square, said: “We wanted to involve everyone and have a party for the whole community.

“We had a number of activities going on throughout the day, which lots of volunteers helped with. I was really pleased with the turnout despite the rain.”

The free drop-in centre helps almost 2,000 children and adults a year.

It receives funding from the city and county councils, along with voluntary donations.

As well as biscuit making, dancing to Saturday Night Fever, and animal balloon creations, youngsters were able to make junk models from old materials including cardboard, plastic and paper in the playgroup.

Kate Jacko, from Temple Cowley, went along with her two children, Maddie, six, and Violet, two.

She said: “I take Violet to the centre on Fridays.

“It’s a good place to meet friends and have lunch together, while Violet likes to play outside.

“It’s amazing that it is 25 years old.”

Nicola Carpenter’s children Eliza, five, and Moses, two, had fun on the day.

Mrs Carpenter, 33, of Cowley Road, Littlemore, said: “It was great to see a real mix of people there. I really like the centre. I don’t come so much now as Eliza is older, but when she was younger we used to come about once or twice a month.

“It’s very relaxed and friendly and has a lovely vibe.

“I was very impressed with the decorations.”

Eliza said: “I got a teddy for 20p and had a pink balloon made into a poodle.”

Donnington Playgroup supervisor Lorraine Walls said: “It has been excellent.

“Lots of parents turned up on the day and showed their support for us and the centre – which was really nice.”

The birthday bash was opened by Mary Clarkson, the new Lord Maayor of Oxford.

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