PREPARATIONS are almost complete for the biggest event in Barton’s calendar, which this year will also honour the memory of a well-loved neighbourhood stalwart.

Organisers are putting the finishing touches to the fun day, which is expected to see nearly 1,000 people turn out on Saturday September 26.

Entry will cost £1, which will be donated to the British Heart Foundation in memory of former Barton Community vice-president Barry Holden, who passed away from heart failure in August last year.

Mr Holden’s wife Sue, who is the Barton community secretary, said raising funds for the charity would be a good way to remember her husband.

She added: “I think we have got everything in place. It’s just doing the fine tuning which can’t really be done until the last minute.

“It’s an event for children and adults to come along and the idea is to encourage people with different backgrounds and cultures to join in. It’s an eclectic mix of the Barton community.

“We are on course and I think we are in for a really good time this year. The only thing we are hoping for it that it’s a dry day.

“We usually have about 1,000 people attending the event across the day. It’s a great day for all the family.”

This year’s bash will also feature a new five-a-side football tournament supported by Oxford United in the recreation ground in memory of Mr Holden, who died aged 71, to raise cash for the British Heart Foundation.

Registration for the football tournament starts at noon and all the money raised will be doubled by Santander before being donated to the BHF.

Mr Holden, known as Baz, served the Barton community with Mrs Holden for a number of years, running Holden’s News, in Underhill Circus, from 1981 to 2006.

The couple sponsored Barton United Football Club and were made joint lifetime presidents by the club.

They were also faithful sellers of the Oxford Mail across four decades.

Mrs Holden added: “Barry was well known in the community. It will be a nice way to remember him and to raise funds for a worthy cause.

“It was the research done by the British Heart Foundation that allowed him to live with heart problems.

“We hope it will be a great day for the community.”

The family occasion will be opened by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, and feature a host of activities including a pets corner, sumo suits, belly dancing, face painting and a bouncy castle.

The bash in its 10th year will take place in and around the grounds of the Barton Neighbourhood Centre from noon until 4pm.

A range of sponsors from across Oxford have donated to the event including Barton Park developers Grosvenor, Hill builders, Oxford City Council, Oxford United, SOHA Housing and Oxford Bus Company.

Thames Valley Police’s mounted section will attend as well as Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue and first aiders for families to find out more about emergency services.

Barton councillor Mike Rowley said: “The Barton Bash is always a lot of fun with something for all ages. I hope to see you all there.”