JERICHO ECHO ARTICLE

Festive summer in Jericho

Major events will make for a lively summer, first the Golden Jubilee Street Party and then the annual Jericho Street Fair.

June 2002

The Jubilee party will be held on June 3 from 3.00 p.m in Hart Street and on the School field. Lots of events are planned. There will be a children’s tea and adults can bring food to picnic on the school field. The children will also have races and a talent contest. Adults too will have a fancy dress competition with a champagne prize donated by the Globe. If you fancy yourself as Elvis, or anyone else, please call Carolyn Dutton on 552042.

Older residents will remember the Jericho Silver Jubilee Party in 1977 which attracted over 300 people. Wendy Matthews of Walton Street who has taken the initiative for this year’s party, has fond memories of the last event.

“That party took in all the children and grandchildren of people living in Jericho. It was the biggest party in Oxford and front- page news in the Oxford Mail. We had a Scots Piper to start the festivities and Wynn Bonney was the Queen for the day. Music was provided by a jazz band who only knew seven songs but still managed to play all night. It took just five weeks to organize. Entertainment included the Vicar of St. Barnabas, Father Hunt, with his magic act.”

This was also the first appearance of Jericho’s entertainment group, the Jericho Rejects, still going strong, who will have their own party later in the month.

The following week, on Saturday June 15, from 10.00 a.m. we will then have the annual Jericho Street Fair in Canal Street. This promises to be bigger and better than ever. As well as all the usual stalls, there will be children’s entertainment, Morris dancing, lots of good food, and a special draw with prizes generously donated by local businesses—along with street entertainers, fairground attractions, and canalboat rides.

Again this year the Street Fair coincides with a weekend Beer Festival at the Old Bookbinders Arms in Canal Street which will offer live music through the day and well into the evening including such local bands as Veda Park and The Gs. Nearer the day you’ll be able to see the most up-to-date information about the Street Fair on our website at ww.jerichocentre.org.uk. Other events include the the Canal Festival on June 23 and the school fête on June 29.

Some people have lived in Jericho all their lives, others just a few months, but these events offer an opportunity for everyone to get together. If you haven’t yet been able to join in community activities, now’s your chance. We really need more people to help with the Jubilee party and with manning community stalls at the Street Fair—even the promise of an hour or two would be a big help. If you could give a hand with either please call Sue Pead on 557902.