First Lazy Saturday of the year in Oxford big success

Mount Place in Jericho has been the venue for at least 10 events featuring local bands and food in recent years.

The open space is owned by the council and has been adopted by members of community as a place where they can together in the sunshine.

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At St Barnabas Church there was also an all-day ceilidh as part of the revived Oxford Folk Festival. 

Hundreds came to dance inside the church where the pews were pushed aside to make space for the festivities.

In nearby Mount Place, singers and bands played throughout the afternoon including Jim Driscoll, Bonnie Tonya, The Thurston Bayne Band and Niki Savage.

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Lazy Saturday organiser John Mair said: "It was good if slightly chilly weather, good music and the canal side setting could not be beaten.

"About 200 people and they bought all of Tom the German sausage man’s stock, and all the beer from Little Ox Brewery.

"They nearly bought out the stock of Jericho tea towels and cards on sale."

Mr Mair added: "The Jericho community pantry raised £150 for their funds in their bric-a-brac and plant sale.

"Nobody went away empty handed or uninspired by the music and the sheer buzz of this latest Lazy Saturday.

"I could not be more delighted. There were 200 happy punters, content traders and the sound of music taking  Jericho.

"This is why I invented Lazy Saturday - onwards to the next event in late June."