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Music-lovers gear up for Cornbury
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| Hugh Philimore |
A peaceful country estate in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds will reverberate to the sound of live music this weekend, as it plays host to thousands of festival-goers.
The rolling grounds of Cornbury, near Charlbury, are being transformed - with stages, fairground rides, sideshows, bars, food outlets and a large campsite rising from the lawns around its scenic house and lakes.
Since first being staged five years ago, Cornbury Festival has evolved into one of the county's best-loved gatherings, attracting a glittering line-up of artists and pulling in music-fans from around the country.
And with acts of the calibre of Paul Simon, Crowded House, reggae stars Toots and the Maytals, singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, 10CC, new-country singer Tift Merritt and cult comedy-rock band Half Man, Half Biscuit, this year's line-up is widely regarded as the most diverse yet.
Organiser Hugh Philimore is expecting 14,000 people to arrive on the site each day.
He said: "It's the best it's ever looked. I'm really thrilled.
"It has more shops and food outlets than ever - with double the amount of catering, so there will be no waiting around for food and drink."
Mr Philimore has been personally committed to the festival since its inception and has staked a large amount of his own money in it.
But he hoped this would be the year it finally breaks even - particularly given the pulling power of its headliners.
He said: "My dream is to break even. It took seven years for Glastonbury to do so, and six years for the Isle of Wight to make a profit, so we'll be doing well.
"But I am in this for the long-run and have been approached by lots of companies looking for a partnership."
Among those looking forward to the weekend are estate owners Lord and Lady Rotherwick.
Mr Philimore said: "Lord Rotherwick was a bit bemused in the early days. However, it's now clear what we have been doing for Cornbury and it has been good for the profile of the estate - as well as for local groups like the primary and pre-school, which benefit from the festival."
So what is Mr Philimore looking forward to the most?
He said: "Paul Simon should be amazing, but I'm also very keen on Nick Lowe, and have a small obsession with Tift Merritt, who is lovely - and absolutely rocks with a full band.
"10cc should also be a nice surprise, while The Bangles, I've heard, are on good form too."
The festival is also a platform for aspiring Oxfordshire bands, among them singer Maria Illett, shock-rockers Smilex, Charlbury singer-songwriter Jessica Goyder, and country-rock band The Epstein - who continue a startling summer of festivals, after last week playing Glastonbury Festival.
7:56am Friday 4th July 2008
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