August in north Oxfordshire can mean only one thing - Cropredy Festival, Fairport Convention’s annual shindig, with its cast of Fairport friends and special guests. This year the festival extends itself to three days, starting on the Thursday evening and running all day on Friday and Saturday. As ever, Fairport themselves will be headlining the Saturday night, 30-years old and showing no signs of giving up yet. To call them legends on the world folk circuit is an understatement; they’ve near enough defined the quintessentially English folk sound throughout their lifetime and remain at the pinnacle of the folk-roots pile.

Their mammoth three-hour set always features an assortment of special guest appearances, from Ian Anderson to Robert Plant in the past, while a reformed All About Eve’s appearance on the Cropredy bill should ensure Julianne Regan gets to do all the old Sandy Denny stuff. All About Eve headline the Thursday night where they’re joined by The Incredible String band, featuring original members Mike Heron, Robin Williamson and Clive Palmer, while Cropredy’s own r’n’b faves Spank The Monkey open proceedings at 6pm. Moving onto Friday, and a chance to catch Robert Plant’s Priory Of Brion project, along with British folk veterans The Albion Band and Jerry Donahue’s Backroom Boys and assorted others. As is traditional, Cropredy allows a young local band a chance and this year it’s The Unprofessionals who get a look in on the opening slot. Following them there’s Stackridge, blues masters The Hamsters and Show Of Hands before the Fairport finale.

Cropredy isn’t just about folk and blues music though, although it’s certainly the most established festival of its kind in the UK. It’s also, unsurprisingly, a celebration of real ale, run by Wadworths, for those who prefer something more substantial than weak festival lager. There’s also the Woodworm Records tent, for splashing out all those CDs you’ve been promising yourself all year, the odd spot of Morris dancing (oh well, no festival is perfect) and, of course, quite possibly the most civilised loos you’re likely to find at any festival in the UK. The atmosphere tends to veer towards the ambient side of relaxed with a crowd that is prepared to travel across the globe to be there, as well as a large local contingent.

Tickets are available on the gate, priced at £52 for all three days, £44 for Friday and Saturday or £30 Saturday only. Camping is free with a ticket but remember that there is a £10 charge for taking vehicles to the site. Better to get the shuttle bus to the site from Banbury coach station.

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