THE main organiser of the much-loved Leys Festival has pulled out of this year’s event.

Oxfordshire Play Association (OPA) has said it will not organise this year’s festival, but Oxford City Council has pledged to take it on for the summer.

The charity held the annual Blackbird Leys event in 2013 and last September after a lack of organisers meant it had to be cancelled in 2011.

Manager Martin Gillett said: “It’s getting bigger and bigger every year and it’s outgrown us.

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“Because it’s such a large event we physically haven’t got the capacity and resources to do it.”

The association’s part-time employee, Jane Gallagher, was previously responsible for running the festival, which attracts thousands.

Mr Gillett said: “It would take up all of her working hours for three months of the year.

“We do not have the resources to spare that. We’re a small charity.”

He said: “We will be there in some capacity.

“We will have a stall on the day and probably run an activity.

“The hope is that the community itself will take it over and do it this year.

“It’s what we wanted anyway when we started it again.

“We have set it up and left it so that the people on the Leys can take it on. It will be their own day.”

The change was announced at a Leys Community Partnership meeting on Tuesday.

Oxford City Council is now working to set up a steering group to run the event with the help of council staff.

Council neighbourhood locality officer Dave Growcott said: “OPA has decided to step back from their role this year.

“It is a shame because of what a great job they did with the last two events.

“We need a replacement for Jane but the council has identified the staff resources to step into the gap that she left.”

The council’s first move is to move the event into the middle of the summer holidays to encourage the estate’s schools to take part.

The date proposed was July 11, but will not be confirmed until a steering group is established.

Mr Growcott said: “We’re looking for a steering group again this year.

“We’re particularly looking for residents to take part. We want to build on what we had last year.”

  •  Those interested in taking part should email dgrowcott@oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 252373


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