THE bumper bank holiday weekend allowed a popular street fair to return in style.
With children’s amusements, an assortment of food stalls, and live music, Jericho Street Fair was able to make a welcome comeback at the weekend.
Barring a reduced numbers event last year, the fair hasn’t been able to take place since 2019 due to the pandemic.
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Usually held on the nearest Saturday to St Barnabas Day (June 11), this year organisers tied in the fair with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Charlotte Christie, chair of Jericho Community Association, said: “We’d normally have stalls by the Old Bookbinders pub, but we left the tables free, with the idea people could buy food or bring their own, and have a street party.
“We’ve had time to make it a bit different this year and extra special.
“Because we do it every year, we know we have to book things early – in January, to be sure.
“Last year, we shifted to the August bank holiday, but we weren’t completely out of Covid.”
St Barnabas is the ‘son of encouragement’ and is mentioned several times in the Bible, with St Barnabas Day celebrated with a special mass.
Matthew Salisbury, curate-assistant at St Barnabas Church in Jericho, said: “There was a streamlined fair last year, but this is the first time we’ve been able to do it like this since 2019.
“We obviously have the Platinum Jubilee too, which is another reason to celebrate.
“The Queen is the Supreme Governor of the Church, and it’s wonderful to see people from every part of the community, from Jericho and further afield, getting together and enjoying one another’s company.
“We’re very grateful for the community organisations which make the street fair possible, there’s dozens of people behind the scenes putting this together.
“We’re all very grateful for the community-minded spirit.”
John Howson’s tenure as chair of Oxfordshire County Council came to an end last month, and he was widely praised before handing over the role to Susanna Pressel.
Mr Howson, a county councillor for the St Margaret’s division, highlighted the positive impact Oxford Pride had on the street fair.
He said: “It’s good to meet people in social settings again, and to talk about local problems with people.
“The great thing about this year is that a lot of people from Oxford Pride are coming down this way from the parade.
“With that and the Platinum Jubilee, it all fits in together and it’s nice to see so many people.
“There’s something for everyone – that’s the great attribute which the fair has.”
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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice
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