A SERIES of play days bringing together armed forces communities and local residents has been hailed a success.

Over the past two months, play days have been organised at each of Oxfordshire’s garrison towns, and the scheme finishes in Abingdon today.

Organisers, the Oxfordshire Play Association, said too many military families were isolated from the communities they lived in.

Speaking before the final event at Dalton Barracks, play association manager Martin Gillett said the events had been a big hit.

He said: “We were hoping for about a thousand people to each event and so far we seem to have surpassed that.”

Around 1,000 people came to the first play day in Bicester, then another thousand to Benson, before 1,250 people joined in the festivities at Brize Norton.

An estimated 1,700 adults and children enjoyed a day of activities in Didcot on Thursday.

The play day events were funded with £15,000 from the Ministry of Defence and featured activities like circus workshops, climbing walls and go-karts.

Mr Gillett said: “There has been a real mix of people at the events, which is what we were aiming for.

“On the bases, we have had people in uniform and people coming through the gates. In Didcot, it was the first time in 15 years they’ve allowed members of the public on the base.

“This was all about getting people together and making sure military families knew what was on offer to them.

“We’ve had things like the Scout and Guide groups, gymnastics clubs, local churches. These things can make a big difference.

“A lot of the communities have already said they are hoping to do it again next year, so hopefully these will become an annual event.”

Oxfordshire was the first local authority in the country to pledge support to a Military Covenant last year.

It encourages charities, local authorities, businesses and communities to work together with the military to offer support to service personnel and their families as well as reservists and veterans.

The events have also raised money for charitable causes like Help for Heroes and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Future play days:

  • Banbury Playday, 11am-3pm Wednesday, July 25 People’s Park, Banbury Oxon OX16 0AD
  • Leys Play & Activity Day, 11am-3pm, Thursday, July 26 Blackbird Leys Park, Pegasus Road, Oxford OX4 6JL
  • West Oxfordshire Playday, 11am-3pm, Wednesday, August 1 The Leys Recreation Ground, Witney, Oxon OX28 4AR
  • Bicester Activity Day & Teddy Bears’ Picnic, 11am-3pm, Wednesday, August 1 Garth Park, Launton Road, Bicester OX26 6PS
  • Kidlington Play & Activity Day, 11am-3pm, Wednesday, August 8, Exeter Hall Park, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon OX5 1AB
  • Hill End Playday, 11am-3pm, Saturday, September 15 Hill End Centre, Eynsham Road, Farmoor, Oxford, OX2 9NJ