Deputy Mayor Diaries: Oxford Road Fun Day

On Saturday I was at the Oxford Road Fun Day.  I have attended as a resident, as a councillor for the past three years and this year as Deputy Mayor!  I'd have been hard pressed to predict that last year.

Although the weather was a bit glum, the event was great fun and even bigger than last year.   The Fun Day is a great community asset as it brings the various groups in the area together allowing people to network, find new things to do and, of course, have fun!

Some of the groups present were:

• Reading Neighbourhood Network and Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association were there promoting their groups and listening to residents.

• Oxford Road Community Garden - you can earn time credits from the timebank by working in the garden!

•  The MS Society were supporting the local centre.

• Nature Nurture who want to bring children back to nature.  They will be in Prospect Park on 15 August too.

• The 103rd Oxford Road Scouts were there providing refreshments.

I was delighted to present volunteers from Christian Community Action with achievement certificates and prizes and got to speak to lots of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers without whom, the fun day wouldn't happen.

Special thanks go to Luke Trimby and Kim Jakubiszyn.

Click on the pictures to find out more about these organisations:

Having a go at the tombola with fundraisers for the Alexander Devine hospice

With the Oxford Road Timebank

OpenHand OpenSpace shared their creativity

With Kim who helped organise the day and is also part of 5th Tilehurst Guides

Thames Valley Police, the Royal Berkshire Fire Brigade and Oxford Road NAG provided advice and sirens!