Mansfield prepares for Oxjam event

Taking place throughout Saturday, the event will bring nearly 60 local and touring artists to eight venues around the town.

The acts are all playing for free to help raise money for Oxfam as well as bring a weekend of cracking live music, art, drama, dance and children’s activities to Mansfield.

Takeover manager Anna Kerr said: “The festival takes place at The Intake, Bowl in Hand, After Dark, The Ram, The Old Library, St Mark’s Church, The Red, The New and in the town centre.

“There will be something for all the family - from pop to punk, and buskers to brass bands and children’s entertainment in the market square.”

Entry to the venues is via a wristband which costs £6 for over 18s or £3 for under 18s.

Anna said: “Over £4,300 was raised in 2012 for the cause, now this year we’ve raised the bar to reach over £5,000 to support this fantastic charity, helping them fight poverty around the world.”

The festival will literally be taking over Mansfield town centre on Saturday from 11am, bringing it to life with free children’s entertainment such as drawing workshops, Madame Zucchini’s vegetable theatre and creature making and face painting.

Pleasley Colliery Brass Band will be performing, as will the Science Busker, and there will be acoustic performances, dance and theatre groups and even some break-dancing gorillas.

The community festival is organised and run by a hard-working team of volunteers.

Wristbands are available via the website www.oxjammansfield.co.uk or from Nottingham Credit Union on Regent Street, Music Scene on Albert Street or Forever Young Fancy Dress on Toothill Lane. They can also be bought on the day from each venue.