THERE was a relaxed atmosphere at the Towersey Festival this weekend, as thousands turned out to enjoy music in the sun.

The four-day event – which finishes tonight – is in its 51st year and being held at Thame and Oxfordshire Agricultural Showground, on the edge of town.

It features acoustic, folk, blues and world music, as well as a range of activities for families in a “creative quarter”.

Festival organisers estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended on Saturday, with day tickets selling out in anticipation of festival swansong for local folk-rock favourites Bellowhead.

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The band – which last played there in 2012 – are known for their lively 11-piece performances but announced earlier this year they are breaking up.

Their performance on Saturday night was their last for a festival.

Ahead of playing band member John Spiers said in a message that “some of the most high-energy and blissful gigs” he had played were at Towersey.

He said: “Although it will be sad in one way, it will also be incredibly joyful. I’ve grown up with it.”

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Oxford favourites Stornoway also played ahead of Bellowhead.

Claire Rudd, a steward team leader working on the festival gates, said: “There are lots of happy faces and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

“Our showground area is proving very popular and the performances are always amazing.”

Mrs Rudd, a grandmother-of-four, said she had been coming to the festival for 38 years.

“I’ve been coming with my two kids since they were small.

“Now they are here with their kids too,” she added.

It is the first time the festival has been held at the agricultural showground, off Tythrop Way.

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Previously local farmer David White, of Towersey, allowed his land nearby to be used.

But organisers said he was now looking to scale back his farm and had decided to sell some of it, meaning a change of location was needed.

“Change comes and brings with it excitement and opportunity and those need to be captured here at our new home,” the festival newsletter said.

This year campers were allowed to arrive earlier than usual, on Thursday instead of Friday, and organisers said 25 per cent extra had been spent on paying for artists to play.

What was previously known as the Rainbow Marquee has now also become the Creative Quarter, an area of arts and crafts, workshops and family activities, including colouring for adults and rock climbing.

In another first, the site has also been gathered together into one area.

Professional musician and composer Roger Jackson, 59, took part in the Singing with The Spooky Men workshop.

The father-of-two, from Dinton, Buckinghamshire, said: “Towersey is a folk festival so we have been trying to push the boundaries this year and really ride the wave of general popularity around singing at the moment.

“I’m a Towersey regular and have been coming for 20 years, my kids grew up here and my daughter Stevie is now doing a degree in folk music, so it’s had a big influence on us.”

Pauline and Jeremy Davis, of Wokingham, Berkshire, came along with their children Isabel, nine, and Fraser, five, who are fans of Bellowhead.

Mrs Davis added: “It’s the first time we’ve been and it’s been really great, especially what’s on offer for families.”

Tonight the festival will close with a lantern parade and “finale”, featuring an ensemble of folk artists.

For more information visit towerseyfestival.com