BUSHY Leaze Children and Families Centre will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the move from the former Treloar Hospital site to Eastbrooke Road with ‘Bushy’s Big Birthday Bash’ on Saturday.

It’s a poignant landmark as the centre awaits the outcome of a Hampshire County Council review that could see a radical change in service provision. But from noon to 5pm on Saturday, despite the uncertainty, the emphasis will be firmly on celebrating the success story that is Bushy Leaze.

According to Friends of Bushy Leaze chairman Jill Worth, the group was tasked back in January to make the annual summer fair an event to remember.

“The centre gave us a very clear brief,” she said. “Bushy’s Big Birthday Bash should be a day of celebration with an emphasis on fun and re-uniting previous families with the centre.”

Working in partnership with councillor Dean Phillips, Friends of Bushy Leaze has worked hard to raise £3,000 in order to stage the event, winning councillor grants and match funding from Persimmon Homes.

Mrs Worth said: “The group has really taken this on board, using the funding to provide free live music, subsidising activities, workshops and food so that everyone can come along and have a really great time.”

Having a chef and successful home baker on board has meant the group can also manage the tea rooms and barbecue which will should prove an added bonus to the fundraising effort.

In addition, Friends of Bushy Leaze is working on publishing a 20th anniversary cookbook.

Moving into spring next year, the group is planning a sponsored walk to raise awareness of the work the nursery does with SEN children and their families from across East Hampshire.

“We intend to walk the perimeter of the nursery’s catchment area, in relay, to raise awareness of the far reaching, outstanding work the centre does with the very young SEN children of East Hampshire,” explained Mrs Worth.

For more details on Bushy’s Big Birthday Bash, call Jill Worth on 07981 568888, Nikki Frayling on 07543 326944, or e-mail [email protected].