ORGANISERS of the Cowley Road Carnival have revealed more than £133,000 is needed to bring festival fever to East Oxford next summer.

Cowley Road Works, the team behind the annual summer extravaganza, says the area will be bursting with celebrations of the city’s culture on Sunday, July 10.

Festive carols are set to echo across St Mary and St John Church tomorrow as the team get going with their huge fundraising campaign.

It comes after 45,000 revellers poured into East Oxford streets during the five-hour festivities on July 5, spending £780,000 during the event.

Cowley Road Works executive director Danielle Battigelli said: “We celebrated the end of another wonderful year for carnival and started planning for next year straightaway – especially as we organise so many other events and activities over the 12 months leading up to the big day.

“As ever, we would like people to get stuck and in and get involved. I would like to thank people for all the support we received for this year.”

Residents helped raise more than £120,000 for this summer’s festivities, held across nine zones and 16 music sites.

More than 700 people, representing more than 30 groups across the community, took part in the carnival procession from The Plain to St Mary and St John Church.

Merrymakers also enjoyed performances from more than 450 people after 122 volunteers gave more than 620 hours of their time.

Vicar of St Mary and St John Church Fr Philip Ritchie said he visited the carnival for this first time this year, just a day before he took over the reins of the parish.

He added: “I really loved it and am already looking forward to next year.

“Like the church, the carnival is at the heart of the community and brings people together from all the diverse elements of that community.”

Organisers are inviting people from all faiths and backgrounds to join the Carols for Christmas service, which starts at 3.30pm.

Cowley Road Works trustee Paul Wolf and Oxford Brooks University student wardens will read at the service, with mulled wine and mince pies on offer.

Earlier this month, Ms Battigelli announced she will leave her role as executive director after seven years at the helm of the carnival.

The mother-of-two added: “I have enjoyed seven rewarding years working with Cowley Road Works, with wonderful support from the trustees and other members of the freelance staff team.

“It’s time to refresh the organisation with a new executive director. I will remain in post until the new appointment to enable a smooth handover.”

See cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk