EXCITEMENT is growing for this year’s Barton Bash with organisers forecasting record numbers of people to attend.

On Saturday, September 30, a hive of activities will be enjoyed by families as up to 1,500 residents come together at the heart of the estate.

The occasion will also mark 25 years since the Barton Neighbourhood Centre, in Underhill Circus, was first opened.

And former Oxford East MP Andrew Smith is rumoured to open the estate’s biggest event on the calendar - just like he opened the community building in October 1992.

With weeks to go until the event, organisers of the Barton Community Centre are applying the final touches to what will be the 11th Bash.

Bouncy castles, boo boo bubbles and bingo will return as activities for members of the community to enjoy, but new attractions include an artist who cuts people’s silhouettes and Orinoco – The Oxfordshire Scrapstore.

Based in the Bullingdon Community Centre off The Slade, the charity which reuses unwanted objects will allow children to build what ever their imaginations can create.

Tanya Field, of the BCA, said there was something at the Bash for everyone.

She added arts and crafts, face painting, eyebrow threading and zumba would all be available.

Fire engines from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service will be attending as well as horses from Thames Valley Police’s mounted section.

A raffle will be drawn at the Bash with the first person picked winning £50 in cash.

Mrs Field, who will witness her second Bash as part of the BCA, said most community groups in Barton were attending.

She added: “It’s our biggest event of the year.

“We start organising six months before to get everything booked up and ready.

“It’s such a huge event for us and everybody, literally everyone gets involved in it. In Barton you do get this real togetherness and the Bash is a culmination of all those people coming together. There is something for everybody, there is all sorts going on.”

The Bash will begin at midday and run until 4.30pm.

Former Oxford East MP Mr Smith previously told the Mail it will be an ‘honour’ to open the Bash.

Plans have been made to refurbish the community centre in the coming years.