Cornbury, 2022 - The Last Hurrah

 

We're back!! Our flight to Greece leaves in a few hours time so I'm quickly squeezing in a blog post before the last ever Cornbury Festival becomes a dim and distant memory.

Liz and Al recently bought his parents' campervan and crewing for Kinky Melon was the perfect opportunity to test it out.

We arrived at the Great Tew Estate in the glorious Cotswolds just after 10am on Wednesday morning, and, by 8pm, our festival pitch was set up. Thursday was scorching and we spent the day lounging on the grass, drinking and catching up with our festival family. After tea the four of us, bearing a picnic blanket and a bag of booze, headed to the campsite, which had opened to the general public earlier in the day, to watch the sunset and listen to the covers band playing on the campsite stage. 

When the festival opened its gates to the public at 9.30am on Friday morning we were ready and waiting. Liz surprised me with a painting which lots of the punters admired.

Lots of delighted customers either left wearing their purchases or returned when they'd got changed into them.

We left the boys in charge and nipped over to the Pleasant Valley Stage to watch The Darkness. You might remember them buying from us at a previous festival - this time bassist Frankie's flatmate paid us a visit.

At 9pm we packed up and watched headliner James Blunt don a gasmask and stage dive into the crowd. Although none of us are fans Mandy, Liz and I ran to the front, linked arms and sang along to You're Beautiful at the top of our voices. 

After three years apart I was overjoyed to be reunited with fellow trader, Mandy (and her partner, Orr).

 Saturday was crazy busy with lots more happy customers.

We wore cats ears, courtesy of Mandy.

These crazy party people always buy from us and have a theme for every night of the festival. They'd already lost Fred by the time they paid us another visit on Saturday night.

Summer of '69 was in the charts when Liz and I sat our A Levels so Bryan Adams' headliner set on Saturday night was a must. Amelie, our End of the Road neighbours, Shilpa Silver's daughter came with us - at 16 she wasn't familiar with most of his songs but loved him - as did Liz and I.

By Sunday Jon had abandoned his shirt and I'd not worn shoes since rocking up on Wednesday morning. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and great training for Greece which is currently enjoying 37­°C heat and is set to get hotter by the end of the week.

Albino Tarantino, a band playing dirty Cajun blues music shopped with us so Liz and I returned the favour and caught some of their act over on the Riverside Stage.

Jon and Al were kept entertained by the Samba band.

We were visited by some of our Cornbury favourites, beautiful Laura and her lovely dad and were introduced to her boyfriend, Harvey. Hello, Laura! 

Cooling off with a round of Shepherds' sheep milk ice creams.

We stood mesmerised by the hot air balloons passing overhead.

Jools Holland was closing the festival and we were thrilled when his brother, his trumpet player and two of his backing singers popped in and bought a few things. We rolled down the shutters for the final time and headed off to watch his set.

The spectacular firework display closed the last ever Cornbury Festival and I did my best not to cry when they played The Walker Brothers' No Regrets.

Needless to say, we didn't leave the arena empty-handed and staggered back under the weight of numerous camping chairs the punters had abandoned. After a quick dance at the Disco Shed we enjoyed our final festival drink in comfort (and, judging by the wobbliness of the photo - it was rather a large measure).

Cornbury, we loved every minute - the festival season won't be the same without you.

Now I really must go and pack my bag - see you soon!