A TOWN in Oxfordshire will be holding a week-long celebration with a mixture of events lined up.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, organisers of Carterton Celebrates felt it was important to mark the festivities, as the event enters its third year.

Running from July 18-26, organisers have been careful to make sure that events will be safe for visitors, with some programmes taking place virtually this year.

Sue James, a maths teacher at Carterton Community College, is the chairwoman of the group.

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She said: “We made the decision that we felt there is a lot to celebrate and we were keen to support local businesses that are reopening, and promote Carterton and the people that live here.

“We had more events in previous years with all the clubs that would’ve been involved and we had to think carefully about what we could offer.

“We’re still able to do some bits and businesses will have offers on all week and will be decorating their windows.

“Obviously we want people to be safe so one-way systems and hand sanitiser stations will be in place at events but we do hope that people will come out and support Carterton.”

Oxford Mail:

The programme of events kicks off on Saturday with a ‘local business market’ in the Market Square between 10am-2pm.

There are already a selection of local businesses with stalls lined up, including street food from Grumpy Duck; It’s in the Post, which makes quirky gifts from stamps, and the Zombie Chop Shop, which offers wooden laser engraved bookmarks.

From then on, every day will be jam-packed with a variety of events, including virtual Zumba and pilates sessions, a two-hour community litter pick, and a car boot sale at the recreation ground, before the week culminates with a virtual storytime from Princess Rapunzel on Sunday, July 26 at 3pm.

There will also be various activities running throughout the week, including a treasure trail in the town centre, and a photography and drawing competition with the theme ‘My Carterton’.

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Residents will also have the opportunity to thank their neighbours who have gone above and beyond for them during the coronavirus outbreak, as there will be a display in the town library windows, celebrating those who make the community proud.

The annual celebration began two years ago and Mrs James, 54, said it came about after herself and others became aware of how few people knew what was going on in the town.

She explained: “We thought it would be nice to bring all the amazing clubs and charities together and celebrate what goes on.”

To find out more about this year’s celebration, and for the full listing of events, please visit: cartertoncelebrates.my-free.website