HEADINGTON ushered in the summer yesterday with the return of its annual festival.

Thousands descended on Bury Knowle Park for the area’s biggest community event, celebrating its 10th year.

Last year’s Headington Festival did not take place because of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Co-organiser Richard Bradley was delighted to see it return and said: “The weather was fantastic and the park was really busy. It is a great showcase for what’s going on in Headington.”

The Headington Quarry resident said: “We normally get around 3,000 people but it was a big event this year so I wouldn’t be surprised if we got more than that.”

The park was filled with stalls from community groups alongside sporting activities, dancing, a magician and fun fair.

Oxford City Council held sports taster sessions at the event, organised by the Headington Action group, with help from the authority.

Lord Mayor Dee Sinclair, who opened the festival, said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and there were lots of people enjoying themselves on a beautiful summer’s day.”

Orinoco, a Headington-based charity which recycles materials from industry, helped children transform its materials into art.

Ronnie Meeson, four, of Headington Quarry was trying to turn a box into a castle.

He said: “I have been playing on the bouncy castle and the rides. I’m having a really nice time.”

Howie Watkins, who runs Orinoco, said: “We would come here for free but Headington Action always covers our expenses.”

The 6th Headington Guides group was selling cakes to raise money for its Dunstan Road base, closed for six months after it flooded. Group leader Kim Griffiths said: “It is nice to be part of the day and good for the area to know we are back up and running and part of the community.”

There were also performance from the Kennington Brass Band, Stagecoach Youth Theatre and Step by Step Dance School.

There were also story-telling sessions under the Storybook Tree, which depicts characters from books by CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, who lived in Headington.

Oxford Mail:

HANDS UP IF YOU’RE HAPPY: Chris and Lucy Taylor from Oxford Swing Dance Society perform the Lindy Hop.

 

Oxford Mail:

CAKES: Kim Griffiths with 6th Headington Guides Adele Fernihough, Alice Walker and Hattie Roper.

 

Oxford Mail:

RECYCLING: Ben Colleran, nine, and his brother Tom, six, make Roman belts.

 

Oxford Mail:

BOOTIFUL: Micos Parojcic tries out welly wanging.

 

Oxford Mail:

BOX CLEVER: Ronnie Meeson, four, attempts to turn his box into a castle as he plays the role of a prince.