ORGANISERS of the annual Barton Bash are putting the finishing touches to the popular Oxford estate’s shindig.

Face painting, fun inflatables, and the popular pottery workshops will all return this year alongside martial arts displays, dance routines and DJ sets.

This year’s bash is on Saturday, June 12, from noon to 5pm.

Alarm bells began to ring when organiser Sue Holden realised the event, which will be held at the Neighbourhood Centre, coincides with England’s first World Cup game, against the United States.

Mrs Holden feared that might deter people from coming, so she organised a big screen for anyone wanting to catch the football.

She said: “I know the England game isn’t until the evening but we don’t want anyone to have a reason not to come, so we’ve set out an area where people can come and watch the rest of the football during the day.”

The Barton Bash was launched five years ago to replace the estate’s annual carnival, and last year more than 1,000 people went along.

This year’s family event will include old favourites such as the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, Barton artist Wayne Clack, who will be drawing people’s caricatures, and a performance by a local girls’ drama group about teenage pregnancy and drugs.

This year for the first time, a health team will also be on hand for men to have a free health ‘MOT’ and talk about any health issues. Mrs Holden said: “We thought it would be a good idea to offer men, who might be less likely to go to the doctor, the chance to get themselves checked in an informal environment.”

She added: “We have got loads going on this year.

“The message we really want to get to people is ‘this is on us’. You don’t have to pay for any of the things at the bash, apart from perhaps a few drinks and food.

“Everything else is completely free.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk