Archive - Thursday, 31 July 2003


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Extra celebrations at Cropedy Festival

THIS year's Cropredy Festival held in the village of Cropredy near Banbury in Oxfordshire will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year when Fairport Convention will, as usual, host this annual event which runs from Thursday, August 7 to Saturday, August 9.

Cropredy Festival is unique because it is organised specifically by musicians, notably Dave Pegg, bass guitarist of Fairport, and his wife Christine.

Very much a family orientated event, it gathers people from all around the world, from as far away as Japan, Australia, the USA and many European countries.

It is also the largest folk rock type event in the British Isles and annually attracts over 20,000 people.

The festival kicks off on Thursday at 4.30pm with the Trevor Burton Band, followed by Meet On The Ledge, and Colvin Quarmby. Compere for the day is Johnny Jones and the last act finishes at 11pm.

On Friday, August 8 from 12.30pm until midnight, Mark Gillespie and his band open the proceedings and Procol Harum will be playing music from their new CD, The Wells On Fire.

Also on the bill are Blue Tapestry, The Bucket Boys featuring Tim Renwick on guitar, singer/songwriter David Hughes, Equation, and Keith Donnelly who also acts as compare.

On Saturday Fairport Convention will play for three hours, beginning at 9pm.

Special guest and ex-Fairporter Dave Swarbrick will be joined by Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Allcock, Beryl Marriott, Kevin Dempsey and Mike Burnham.

Dennis Locorriere will be on before Fairport as will be other greats acts. Compere for the day will be Bob Fox.

Cropredy has a very special atmosphere and is a friendly festival where children under 12 are admitted free with paying adults.

Camping prices are cheap and the campsites very secure with campers able to park next to their tents.

Tickets and information from Woodworm Records Ltd, PO Box 37, Banbury, Oxon OX16 8YN, fax 01869 337142 or e-mail faircrop@aol.com Tickets also for sale on the gate.