• Saturday 16 September, Cancer Research Race for Life – Pretty Muddy, South Park, 10 am to 3 pm. This is the second year of this 5 kilometre obstacle course for women in South Park. www.raceforlife.org
• Saturday 16 September, Saturday Series by Thames Valley Orienteering Club, Cutteslowe Park, 10 am to 1 pm. Part of a series of Saturday orienteering events based in and around Oxford organised by Thames Valley Orienteering Club. www.tvoc.org.uk
• Saturday 16 September to Sunday 17 September, Oxford Art and Craft Market, Broad Street, 9 am to 5.30 pm (Sat) & 10 am to 4.30 pm (Sun). The annual Art Market is a partnership event between Boffy Arts Market and Oxford City Council and features approximately 30-36 traditional market stalls. All of the work sold is handmade and selected for quality and all stalls are run by the artists or makers of the goods. www.boffyartsandevents.com
• Friday 29 September, Curiosity Carnival, Broad Street and various other locations in the city, 12 pm to 7 pm. The Curiosity Carnival is a unique opportunity for people of all ages and interests to enjoy an amazing programme of research-related activity across Oxford – most of which is free to attend. www.ox.ac.uk/curiosity-carnival
• Saturday 30 September, Riverside Stomp, along the towpath starting in Wallingford and finishing at the City of Oxford Rowing Club, 7 am to 8 pm. Charity walk for Helen & Douglas House. www.helenanddouglas.org.uk
• Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 October, The Chinese State Circus, Oxpens Rec, 4.45 pm to 9.30 pm. The internationally acclaimed, all human Chinese State Circus returns to the UK with their new programme ‘Dynasty’. www.chinesestatecircus.com
• Sunday 8 October, Oxford Half Marathon, city centre and north of the city starting on Broad Street, 7.30 am to 4 pm. Oxford will welcome thousands of runners over race weekend for what promises to be a very special day! The Race Village will be in University Parks. www.oxfordhalf.co.uk

• Friday 1 to Sunday 3 September, Foodies Festival, South Park, 11 am to 7 pm. Join Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt and Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown at the annual Foodies Festival. www.foodiesfestival.com
• Sunday 3 September, Oxford Classic Mile Swim, starting at Donnington Bridge and finishing at the Christ Church Meadow river bank, 11 am to 1 pm. Second year of this open water Thames swimming event with one mile distance. www.swimoxford.co.uk
• Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 September, St Giles Fair, St Giles, 11 am to 11 pm. One of the UK’s oldest fun fairs is back – this year with a licensed bar and street food traders!
• Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, Oxford Preservation Trust – Oxford Open Doors, city centre. Celebration of the city’s heritage with free activities at hundreds of venues. https://www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk/content/welcome-oxford-open-doors-2017
• Saturday 9 September, Vintage Bus Display, Broad Street (bollarded end), 10 am to 4 pm. As part of OPT Open Doors, the Oxford Bus Museum offers free rides with vintage buses through the city, and will have a vintage bus as an information point on Broad Street. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk

St Giles’ Fair, held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (1 September), is one of the greatest and most prestigious in the country. This year, it takes place from 11 am to 11 pm on 4 and 5 September.

The fair dates back to 1625, when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles. Nowadays it features exciting fair ground rides, candyfloss and other food stalls, and carnival games.

• Until Monday 28 August, World Vision Charity – Journey of Hope, Bonn Square, 9am to 7pm every day. Journey of Hope is an immersive experience telling the story of eight-year-old Ayie from rural Sierra Leone. It also gives people the opportunity to sponsor a World Vision child. www.worldvision.uk
• Sunday 27 August, Headington Five Mile Road Race, starting at Boults Lane Rec, 9.30 am to 11 am. Annual five-mile road running race around Marston and Headington.http://www.hrr.org.uk/h5m/
• Wednesday 30 August, Recycling Roadshow, Hinksey Park, 10 am to 4 pm. This is to promote and engage residents with recycling by giving out free recycling advice, leaflets and recycled goodies.
• Friday 1 September, Film under the Stars, Rose Hill Rec (behind the community centre), 8.45 pm to 11 pm. Outdoor screening of a family film. www.filmoxford.org
• Friday 1 to Sunday 3 September, Foodies Festival, South Park, 11 am to 7 pm. Join Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt and Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown at the annual Foodies Festival. www.foodiesfestival.com
• Monday 4 & Tuesday 5 September, St Giles Fair, St Giles, 11 am to 10 pm.  One of the UK’s oldest fun fairs is back – this year with a licensed bar and street food traders!www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20035/events/557/st_giles_fair
• Monday 4 September, Recycling Roadshow, Cutteslowe Park, 10am to 4pm. This is to promote and engage residents with recycling by giving out free recycling advice, leaflets and recycled goodies.

• Until Monday 28 August, World Vision Charity – Journey of Hope, Bonn Square, 9am to 7pm every day. Journey of Hope is an immersive experience telling the story of eight-year-old Ayie from rural Sierra Leone. It also gives people the opportunity to sponsor a World Vision child. www.worldvision.uk
• Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 August, Rose Hill Play Ranger Sessions, Rose Hill Rec (behind the Community Centre) 10 am to 2 pm. Free play sessions organised by the Oxfordshire Play Association. www.oxonplay.org.uk
• Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 August, German Village Festival, Broad Street, 5 pm to 11 pm. Traditional German fest with an outside area and beer tent – the first time in Oxford. http://oxford.bierfest.co.uk/
• Friday 18 to Sunday 20 August, Hebborns Family Fun Fair, Cowley Marsh Rec, 1.30 pm to 10 pm. www.hebbornamusements.co.uk
• Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August, Oxford City Royal Regatta, Longbridges Nature Park, 7 am to 6 pm. Oxford City Royal Regatta is an annual rowing competition which has taken place on the Isis River since 1841. www.oxfordrowingclub.org.uk
• Sunday 20 August, Oxford Women’s Softball Cricket Festival, Cutteslowe Park, 12 pm to 4 pm. Organised by Oxfordshire Cricket, this event gives women of all ages an exciting and inclusive introduction to cricket. http://www.oxfordshire.cricket/
• Sunday 20 August, Film under the Stars, Rose Hill Rec (behind the community centre), 8.45 pm to 11pm. Outdoor screening of a family film. www.filmoxford.org
• Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 August, Rose Hill Play Ranger Sessions, Rose Hill Rec (behind the Community Centre) 10 am to 2 pm. Free play sessions organised by the Oxfordshire Play Association. www.oxonplay.org.uk
• Sunday 27 August, Headington 5 Mile Road Race, starting at Boults Lane Rec, 9.30 am to 11 am. Annual 5-mile road running race around Marston and Headington.http://www.hrr.org.uk/h5m/

Thames Valley Police hosts the eleventh force Open Day on Saturday 5 August. The event is being held at its Training Centre in Sulhamstead, near Reading (RG7 4DX) and will be open between 10am and 4pm.

With over 40 exhibitors attending, there is something for everyone. This year the Open Day promises to be even bigger and better than before. Here are just some of the highlights in the jammed packed programme:

• Become a detective for the day and solve the crime
• Arena displays showcasing the specialist dog, horse and public order teams
• See the force helicopter up close and meet some of the pilots
• Listen to expert talks about tactical armed policing, the dangers of sexting and how we are combatting organised crime
• Children’s fancy dress – come dressed in police themed costumes
• Name a police puppy competition
• Sample some mouth-watering delights in the Fun Food Kitchen
• Visit the on-site museum to learn about some of our most notorious cases.

For the first time, visitors will be able to become a detective for the day. Working with our Forensic Investigation Unit, you can solve various clues to reveal how Mr Money Bags met his unfortunate demise. Children are also encouraged to come dressed in police themed costume, with a parade at midday and a fabulous prize up for grabs.

The theme this year is Children and Young People and there will be a dedicated Kids Zone featuring our Cadets and Mini Police recruits. We are also supporting SAFE, a charity that helps people aged between 8 and eighteen who have been affected by crime within Thames Valley.

Limited parking is available and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Dogs are not permitted (except for assistance dogs) and must not be left in vehicles.

The Open Day will close at 4pm with the last entry at 3.30pm.

Looks like fun!

• Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July, Dreaming Spires Steam Rally, Cutteslowe Park, 12 to 5 pm. Annual event for Rally for Model Engineering Club members to come together.www.cosme.org.uk
• Saturday 22 July, Orinoco fund raising Indian dinner 7pm. North Oxford Association, Diamond Place OX2 7DF. Adults £20, concessions £12. To book a place contact Orinoco on 01865 761113, email mail@orinoco.org
• Saturday 22 July, Run the Oxford Parks by Thames Valley Orienteering Club, Headington Hill Park, 9am to 2pm. Part of a series of Saturday orienteering events based in and around Oxford organised by Thames Valley Orienteering Club. www.tvoc.org.uk
• Saturday 22 July, Oxford Rathayatra, Broad Street, 12 to 4.30pm. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ biggest street festival with stage performances, chanting, free vegetarian food, exhibits, spiritual literature, meditation and a short procession around the city centre.
• Saturday 22 July, FilmUunder the Stars, Hinksey Park, 9.20 to 11pm. Outdoor screening of a family film. www.filmoxford.org
• Monday 24 July to Monday 28 August, World Vision Charity – Journey of Hope, Bonn Square, 9am to 7pm every day. Journey of Hope is an immersive experience telling the story of eight year old Ayie from rural Sierra Leone, giving people the opportunity to sponsor a World Vision child. www.worldvision.uk
• Thursday 27 July, The Leys Play and Activity Day, Fry’s Hill, 11am to 3pm. Each year the Oxfordshire Play Association organises a series of play and activity days across the county in line with the ethos of National Playday, the celebration of the Childs Right to Play. www.oxonplay.org.uk
• Saturday 29 July, Film Under the Stars, Sunnymead Park, 9.20am to 11 pm. Outdoor screening of a family film. www.filmoxford.org
• Sunday 30 July, The People’s Fair, Florence Park, 11am to 5pm. Celebration of the diverse communities in Oxford with a variety of cultural stalls and food.
• Tuesday 1 August, Meet Paw Patrol with the Oxford Tube, Broad Street, 10am to 5.30pm. The Oxford Tube is promoting their recently launched ‘Kids Go Free’ tickets.www.stagecoachbus.com
• Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 August, Rose Hill Play Ranger Sessions, Rose Hill Rec (behind the Community Centre) 10 am to 2 pm. Free play sessions organised by the Oxfordshire Play Association. www.oxonplay.org.uk

• Tuesday 4 July, Oxfordshire School Games, Horspath Sports Ground, 10am to 4pm. Annual programme of sport competition for young people in Oxfordshire. www.oxspa.co.uk
• Saturday 8 July, West Oxford Fun Day, Botley Park, 1pm to 5 pm. Annual community Fun Day organised by West Oxford Community Association with a music stage, fun games for all ages, circus skills, gurning, food and drink stalls, and a range of community information and consultation stalls. www.woca.org.uk
• Saturday 8 July, Leys Festival and Horticultural Show, Blackbird Leys Park, 12pm to 4pm. Annual community festival with activities for the whole family to try out, a static classic car display and performances. The horticultural show will display home grown vegetables, fruit and planters, as well as homemade foods from school pupils and residents across the Leys to be entered into competition. http://leysfestival.weebly.com/
• Sunday 9 July, Cancer Research UK Race for Life 5k and 10k, University Parks and city centre, 10am to 2pm. Annual 5k and 10k fundraising event for Cancer Research UK. www.raceforlife.org
• Saturday 15 July, Headington Fun Day, Bury Knowle Park, 2pm to 5 pm. Free annual fun day for the community of Headington with games, activities, food and beverages, music and fun. www.headingtonchurches.org.uk
• Saturday 15 July, Dancin’ on the Green, Gloucester Green, 12.15pm to 4.30pm. Dancin’ Oxford will present an afternoon of professional and community dance performances by way of celebration of dance, right in the heart of the city.www.dancinoxford.co.uk
• Sunday 16 July, Love Oxford, Broad Street, 10am to 1.30pm. An open air Christian church service, bringing together over 25 church communities across Oxford.
• Sunday 16 July, Marston Neighbourhood Church Summer BBQ, Milham Ford Nature Park, 4pm to 6pm. Annual community BBQ run by the local church with food, gospel talk and some organised games. http://themnc.org/
• Saturday 22 July, Run the Oxford Parks by Thames Valley Orienteering Club, Headington Hill Park, 9am to 2pm. Part of a series of Saturday orienteering events based in and around Oxford, and organised by Thames Valley Orienteering Club. www.tvoc.org.uk
• Saturday 22 July, Oxford Rathayatra, Broad Street, 12pm to 4.30pm. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ biggest street festival with stage performances, chanting, free vegetarian food, exhibits, spiritual literature, meditation, and a short procession around the city centre.
• Saturday 22 July, Film under the Stars, Hinksey Park, 9.20pm to 11pm. Outdoor screening of a family film. www.filmoxford.org

We have asked City Council officers for a report back on the Common People Festival as we realise that the noise levels appeared louder this year. They confirm that