Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the 52nd Towersey Festival was marked by outstanding performances, enthusiastic crowds and warm weather.
Running from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August 2016, the enduring Oxfordshire event featured packed headline appearances from Kate Rusby, Midge Ure, The Young'uns and Billy Bragg, who arrived after visiting striking bus drivers in Dorset.
Other memorable performances included The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, The Wonder Stuff, 9Bach and the Tom Robinson Band.
Alongside many familiar elements, such as the traditional closing Lantern Parade and Festival Choir, this year saw the introduction of new programmes of activities for 5-11 year-old festival-goers and young people, both of which proved highly popular.
Attracting in the region of 7,000 revellers, the infamous British weather didn’t disappoint either with bright warm sunshine Friday and Monday, and only fleeting showers Saturday and Sunday.
Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap said: "This year was our biggest ever line-up, and visitors really responded positively to the bill, as well as the site and infrastructure improvements we made.
"There were so many highlights, from the family-friendly events and our patron, Roy Bailey, launching his new album, to the Festival Dance House (FDH) stage, where there was a buzzing atmosphere with lots of young people embracing the festival’s strong dance programme.”
The artists also enjoyed the event with Sunday headliner Midge Ure Tweeting: “A beautifully run festival. Lovely organisation and great crowd… it was a joy to play.”
The 53rd Towersey Festival will run from Friday 25 to Monday 28 August 2017 at Thame Showground, Oxfordshire. Limited ‘ultra-early bird’ tickets are on sale now for £99 (adult). The full line-up will be announced in the New Year.
For details, see: www.towerseyfestival.com
