A COMMUNITY party is to be staged in an Oxford estate to unite neighbours and show the area “is down but not out”.

A group of Rose Hill residents has decided to organise the summer fun day to bring people together.

Rose Hill Primary School, in The Oval, will host the day of entertainment, fairground rides and stalls on Saturday, June 27.

Organiser Amanda Edwards-Day, of Newlin Close, said: “The estate is really dire at the moment.

“It’s in the middle of a regeneration project and it’s a bit depressing. People feel really low and there isn’t really anywhere nearby for people to get together.

“So we want to put something on that will get the community together and show that we are down but not out.

“A few years back a couple of families organised a fun day at The Oval which had fairground rides and everybody still talks about it to this day.

“I think people have wanted to repeat something like that but they haven’t felt able, so a few of us from the Friends of Rose Hill Primary School got together to start it up again.”

The mother-of-five added: “Rose Hill, unlike the other large estates in Oxford, such as Blackbird Leys and Barton, hasn’t really got any established event on the calendar that is aimed at bringing the community together, and we hope to remedy that with this fun day.”

It will feature displays from local community groups and schoolchildren, and sponsorship talks are in progress with BMW and Bryant Homes, the firm involved in the current redevelopment.

Mrs Edwards-Day, 35, said: “We want to make people aware of what’s available in Oxford. There’s so much on offer that’s free or low cost for families so we have invited Hands On science, Creation Theatre, Modern Art Oxford and various community groups from the estate.

“There will be demonstrations from a local kickboxer and cheerleaders from the primary school. Hopefully we will have an arena where the major acts can perform.There will be lots of different things like craft stalls, face painting, hair braiding, a barbecue and refreshments.”

To get involved, call Mrs Edwards-Day on 01865 430666.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk