A POPULAR sporting event in Oswestry is set to return next month following its cancellation in 2018.

The Oswestry Community Games event, which is now part of Oswestry Heritage Week, is looking forward to its seventh annual event on Sunday, September 15 in Cae Glas Park from 11am until 3.45pm.

Last year’s event was cancelled for health and safety reasons after the town was hit by adverse weather.

This year, organisers will be hoping for better weather in the hope that the event will go ahead, with an array of sport, dance and music organisations providing free activities.

Dance organiser Michelle Delieu is looking forward to offering dance for the fourth time at the event.

Michelle said: “Dance has brought in a new vibrant and exciting aspect to the event, promoting local dance groups and providing a wide range on dance genres.

“Previous years have seen both adults and children enjoying demos and 'join in' sessions in a variety of styles including belly dancing, ballet, cheerleading, lindy hop, salsa, ballroom, sign dance, street dance and fitsteps.

“At the Community games we believe that dance is for anyone and everyone should be able to have the chance to dance.”

Di Carrington is set to be this year’s guest of honour after she was expected to be last year’s guest of honour before the event was cancelled.

Carrington, 62, was part of an all-female trio to take on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2018, rowing the 3,000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

The journey took 60 days, 18 hours and 34 minutes, and the crew had to contend with 40ft waves, chronic sleep deprivation and strong winds, and amazingly picking up three world records along the way.

Games organiser Clive Knight said: “We are delighted to announce that Shropshire’s Di Carrington from Pontesbury is to be our Guest of Honour.

“This year the Community Games has secured the financial backing of Oswestry Town Council, Oswestry Sports Forum, Wynnstay Hotel, Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd, Mary Hignett Bequest Fund and Charlotte Hartey Foundation to whom we are very grateful.”

MC for the day will be David Davies who undertook the role in 2016, so the Games will be in very safe and experienced hands on the day.

For the latest information regarding the day, visit www.facebook.com/oswcommgames/