Eastenders legend Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, will be making an appearance at a family fun day near Bicester this weekend as organisers hope she pulls a few pints to mark the occasion.

Launton Sports and Social and Playing Fields Association is a sports, arts and entertainment venue for the community and it will be celebrating 50 years on Saturday (July 6).

The event will take place in Bicester Road in Launton from 12.30pm and Ms St Clement will be attending for an hour in the afternoon. 

The facility is ran entirely by volunteers and led by Dave Barrett, chairman of the charity.

All funds from the event will go back into the facility and will go towards expanding a children's play area.

Wendy Foster, advisory fundraiser, said: “[Pam is] interested because we have been going for 50 years.

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"I’ve been in contact with her over a few years to try and get her to come, and this one she has agreed to come to.

“We’re celebrating in this iconic building that has been here for 50 years, I know that might not seem much to most people, but it was literally built by the community."

Aimed at the whole family, the fun day will offer face painting, a bungie trampoline, fairground games, tug of war, stocks, meat raffle, tea and cake, a Pimms tent, a food van, ice cream and a tombola.

Ms Foster is hoping that Ms St Clement will pull a few pints at the event.

She said: “I think when she sees people are passionate about something, she is all for wanting to help boost the funds, and I think that’s fantastic.

“I am absolutely ecstatic.

“We feel like she is the most fitting person, I think she is going to appeal to all ages, people are going to know her - her character, her face, her personality.

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“When I spoke to her she said wants to be involved. She doesn’t just want to turn up, and she said if people want to take selfies with her, they need to donate money.

“She’s just absolutely brilliant, she wants to know all the background about [the facility], she really takes her time and she obviously chooses her events very carefully."

Ms Foster said the community reacted with excitement upon hearing the news of the Eastenders actress' appearance. 

Ms Foster added: “The facility itself, we can’t do without it – it’s managed to survive through Covid, it’s ran by a voluntary committee - they have kept it going for 50 years, and they’ve put every effort in.

Part of the voluntary committee and public pointing to the 50 year plaquePart of the voluntary committee and members of the public pointing to the 50 year plaque (Image: Wendy Foster)

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"It’s used right across the board. We’ve got people coming from outside the village to it because it’s that good.

"If somebody believes in us, then that’s brilliant, we need funds to keep it going.

“We are very thankful."