Cornbury Music Festival - Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 8/7/2022...10/7/2022 -The Final Goodbye

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 31 / 7 / 2022

For nearly two decades Cornbury Festival has brought some of the world's major music stars to its picture-perfect site amidst the Cotswold Hills of the Oxfordshire countryside. But on the 10th July, the lights went down on its stages for the very last time. 20,000 people enjoyed spectacular weather and the customary strong line-up of pop, rock, soul and acoustic artists at this three-day feast of music and more at Great Tew, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. The event - known by many as 'Poshstock' because of the many VIPs and celebrities who are usually in the audience - was brought to an emotional close on Sunday with a glorious extended set by Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra followed by fireworks and the playing of The Walker Brothers' melancholic 'No Regrets' as revellers made their way home. The closing set began with a speech by festival director, the old-Etonian Hugh Phillimore, who thanked fans for their support whilst reaffirming that this was, sadly, the last ever Cornbury. This year's highlights had included a powerful set from Canadian Bryan Adams, a relaxed headline appearance by James Blunt, a strong performance from Boyzone star Ronan Keating who had the whole crowd waving their arms and singing along to his hit 'Life is a Rollercoaster' plus stand-out shows from folk-pop act The Waterboys and exuberant rockers The Darkness. Over the past twenty years or so, Cornbury has been a highpoint of the festival calendar for many. It has attracted the likes of Paul Simon, Amy Winehouse, Robert Plant, The Beach Boys, Jeff Lynne, Bill Wyman, Tom Jones, Joe Brown, Chris Jagger plus Jools Holland and Sam Brown on several occasions. But, sadly, a change in the tenure of the land (related to the impending divorce of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall) means the lease is now up on the glorious site - so there is no realistic prospect of the festival continuing. Festival Director Hugh Phillimore said, “We have a special team here in a very special place but, sadly, it is time to call it a day. We have had some amazing times but I just need to calm down and stop. But the sun is shining and the music and the crowd have been great, as always - so I am not complaining.” Jools Holland, however, expressed his doubt that this really could be the end. “I recall when we were last here four years ago, Hugh made a similar speech. But problems were overcome! So I remain optimistic. It is a brilliant event and we'd all hate to see it disappear! Summers just won't be the same without it. So, yes, this is the last time and there won't be another Cornbury.....until perhaps next year! Let's see what happens!”

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