Comment

There's something about Oxfordshire's biggest music festival which is quintessentially English.

Since being set up by Fairport Convention as a glorified village fete, Cropredy Festival has evolved into a place of pilgrimage for lovers of folk, and its slightly racy offspring - folk-rock.

But while other festivals have acquired unruly reputations for outrageous behaviour, all night partying and random acts of debauchery, Cropredy has retained a stiff upper lip.

Its legions of regular festival-goers stake out plots with deckchairs, picnic blankets, cool boxes, lanterns and umbrellas. And where the party people of Glastonbury or other hedonistic feasts may indulge in all manner of exotic intoxicants, the 20,000-odd campers of Cropredy are happier with a good old fashioned flagon of cider, a few pints of Wadworth 6x - and, for the real traditionalists, a pouch of rough shag tobacco and a manly pipe.

Well mannered, reserved and safe, the festival, which began yesterday evening, is also the perfect family weekend. Which is why so many people keep coming back ... time and time again.

Part of its appeal, says Fairporter Dave Pegg, is its sense of tradition.

"Cropredy is the best festival I've been to," 'Peggy' told The Guide. "We've been really looking forward to it.

"I know I'm biased, because I used to organise it with my ex-wife Christine, but it has grown organically from a village fete to an event attracting 20,000 people ... and it takes place in a village of just 700 people!"

The festival's sense of tradition extends not just to the layout of the site - with its single stage, and the same old stalls and caterers - but also to the line-up.

Fairport Convention always headline the Saturday finale. And from year to year the band's three-hour set remains a crowd-pleasing affair ending with a customary mass singalong to anthem Meet on the Ledge. But if Cropredy - or Fairport's Cropredy Convention, as it is now known - is the 'groundhog day' of festivals, it's only because that's how people like it.

Having said that, this year's festival has raised eyebrows. For, along with the usual folk-rock fair are some truly stunning attractions - with a set last night by Wheatley Brit-pop legends Supergrass; crusty, dog-on-a-string, anarcho-rockers The Levellers, who headline tonight; synth-pop pioneer Midge Ure of Ultravox; and The Family Mahone - fine purveyors of drinking songs featuring BBC Radio's king raconteur Mark Radcliffe.

Peggy himself takes to the stage at least three times during the festival - with Fairport, with the Family Mahone, and alongside friend PJ Wright, pictured above right with Peggy, as part of a side-project.

"This year's festival looks great," he said excitedly.

"This time last year, much of the site was under a foot of water. It was a miracle we could carry on. But we did.

"There are about 360 festivals in Britain over the summer, but Cropredy has been going since the 70s. We have a very loyal following and many people come back every year.

"Many of the young people who come were actually conceived on site!"

So what's its attraction?

"It is very family orientated. People can bring their kids, and 90 per cent of people camp - which you can do right next to your car. You are also never more than a few minutes' walk away from the festival field.

"And because people have been coming for so many years, they come and meet their friends. People come here from Australia, America, Holland, Germany, and even Japan.

"They love it - and that's why it's hailed as an example of how a festival should be run!

"For us, it's the highlight of the Fairport year... and we enjoy it now as much as ever."

*Festival facts Fairport's Cropredy Convention finishes at midnight tomorrow.

Tickets are £70 (two days) or £50 for tomorrow only. Accompanied children under 12 are admitted free.

Two-day camping is £25, and camping tomorrow night is free. Motorcyclists, cyclists and backpackers arriving on foot camp for free.

Festival-goers are urged to check availability by phoning the on-site festival box office on 07919 894308.

Friday Family Mahone (starring Mark Radcliffe) Peggy & PJ Three Daft Monkeys Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller Stackridge Joe Brown Levellers Saturday Richard Digance Larkrise to Candleford Legend Muffin Men Julie Fowlis Midge Ure Fairport Convention

5:26pm Thursday 7th August 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login