TIM HUGHES and Cornbury Festival’s Hugh Phillimore, above, look ahead to this weekend’s musical bonanza.

HUGH Phillimore is suitably upbeat. As well he might be.

The director of this weekend’s Cornbury Festival has a lot to smile about – a great line-up, a fabulous site and healthy ticket sales.

“I’m quietly optimistic,” he says, with characteristic modesty. “We have some fabulous artists – and even the weather looks good.”

Since launching his aristocratic bash six years ago, deep in the woods of the Cornbury Estate – where he has a home in the grounds – Hugh has acquired a reputation as one of the UK’s pluckiest promoters.

Already a successful band manager (star Imelda May is among his artists), and an organiser of lavish parties to the rich and famous, he has always treated his West Oxfordshire knees-up as a personal party.

The formula is simple: round up all your favourite bands, stick them on stage in the rolling deer park of a Cotswold stately home over a summer weekend, make sure there’s loads of lovely food and drink – and invite the public.

Being a high-end gathering, it costs Hugh a fair amount to put on (the Cornbury catchline could well be ‘attention to detail’) – and until now, he has struggled to make that all-important profit. Unfazed, he has carried on and refuses to cut corners.

This year, he hopes, could be the year he at least breaks even.

And with an eclectic bill boasting such talent as blues legend Buddy Guy, New Orleans pianist Dr John, singer songwriters David Gray, Jackson Browne, Seth Lakeman, top left, Joshua Radin and Newton Faulkner, party bands Squeeze, top centre, Reef and the Blockheads, soul star Candi Staton, and pop acts The Noisettes and The Feeling, below left, he can be excused for feeling quite pleased with himself.

“We’ve got a good mix,” he says, taking time out from overseeing preparations ahead of tomorrow’s arrival of campers.

“I’m pretty pleased – and I got most of the names I wanted.”

Many of the artists, of course, know him personally – including Saturday’s headliner David Gray.

“I’ve been a fan of David since I booked him for about five hundred quid, back in the day. And this time he’s touring with a band, so it should be even better than last time he played in 2007.”

And what else is he looking forward to? “Well Imelda May, (below right) obviously, but also Noisettes who are a great live band, Squeeze and Reef who are huge fun, and Buddy Guy and Dr John, who are legends. Then we’ve got the likes of Josh Radin, Ben Montague, Lucinda Belle and Jon Allen (top right). There’s lots of good stuff – and I even hope to see a bit myself this year. I’m usually rushing around the site, so I tend to miss most of it.”

So how does he sum up the perennial appeal of his festival – which, on account of its salubrious surroundings and smattering of well-heeled revellers have seen it dubbed ‘Poshstock’.

“There’s something in the ground at Cornbury,” he says whimsically. “The place has an atmosphere. It’s a family event which is hosted by a family – and there are nice people running it – not myself, particularly… though I am trying to be nice. We don’t allow nasty people to work here!”

Regular guests include Jeremy Clarkson, George Michael, Ruby Wax, Rowan Atkinson, Dom Joly and David Cameron. Even Prince Edward has been spotted.

So, I ask cheekily, who can we expect to see there this year? Hugh is discreet, but hopes some of the previous years’ VIPs will turn up. “And maybe even the Prime Minister!” he laughs.

* Cornbury Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The site is open to campers from tomorrow. Weekend tickets are £95 and day tickets are £55. Kids under 12 are free. Other deals are available. Check out cornburyfestival.com