HUNDREDS of people joined the fun at this year’s Kidlington parish council gala day, as the village marked the official opening of a new park.

The annual event was a chance for people to see the new civic park, in Exeter Close, which had been transformed as part of a major programme of improvements in the area.

The park now has new trees and shrubs planted, decking laid, a footpath to the health centre, cycle track, tennis courts, seating and a grass area.

On Saturday, special guest BBC Radio Oxford Bill Heine officially opened the park by cutting the ribbon.

He told about 1,200 people how impressed he was with the landscape and design and how it had helped to put some more heart into the village.

The work had been done by the parish council’s open spaces team.

Part of the transformation was to improve the visibility of Exeter Hall from Oxford Road by creating a new entrance.

Chris Pack, council chairman, said: “It went really well. Bill told us how impressed he was with everything we had done. We had great support.”

Wife Carole, council vice-chairman, said: “We wanted people to be able to see Exeter Close. It’s a great improvement and everyone is pleased.”

The event also included rides and a bouncy castle for the children and a range of stalls were set up in Exeter Hall for visitors to browse.

The Exeter Close programme of improvements also includes redeveloping the health centre, setting up a one-stop shop for public services, better provision for youth activities and improved traffic-calming along Oxford Road.

Click here for more pictures