Restore festival, Oxford: Go into the garden for homegrown sounds

How many songbirds fly to and fro, in an English country garden?”

So sang the sonorous Jimmie Rodgers in his top five 1962 paean to British horticulture.

And, being a country and western singer from America’s Pacific Northwest, he, of course, knew all about the charms of a summer’s day in a British back yard.

On Saturday, music-lovers are also invited to head to the garden, to enjoy a one-night festival designed to raise support for local bands and money for a good cause.

In The Garden is a six-hour programme of music taking place in the Restore garden, at Manzil Way, just off Oxford’s Cowley Road.

The event — the first of its kind — has been propagated by volunteer Katie Louise Herring, who is better known to local gig-goers as frontwoman of the dance-pop band Duchess.

It features performances by Huck and The Xander Band, Balloon Ascents, Bright Works, Family Machine, Julia Meijer and Dave Oakes and Friends, with music curated by the crew from Skittle Alley music.

For something to tickle the tastebuds, as well as the eardrums, there will be a gourmet barbecue — featuring jerk chicken and pulled pork — presided over by chef Jack Greenall from Smoke and Thyme supper club.

Festivalgoers will also be treated to tales of interesting people and places from ‘The Banburyshire Storyteller’, Jules Procter, and massages courtesy of Neals Yard.

Creative types can get stuck into colouring and origami in the craft tent, get a henna tattoo or take part in a garden quiz.

Events take place outdoors and in the volunteer-run cafe at the centre, which supports people with mental health issues and helps them to find work.

“In The Garden is the first festival to be held here and it’s going to be enchanting, relaxed and joyful,” said Katie, speaking amid the carefully-tended flowerbeds, where users of the service grow plants to sell.

“It will showcase our fantastic gardens and cafe; the space coming alive with a mini-festival harnessing some of the best local music, food, craft and storytelling talent.

“It will also raise money for Restore’s work in supporting people with mental health issues to recover and get work.”

The line-up was selected for its diversity.

Katie said: “We picked bands that had a real mix of sounds and styles, so there is a little something for everyone.

“From the soulful, delicate Swedish stylings of Julia Meijer to the alternative rock-pop of Balloon Ascents, the line-up will be a real feast for the ears.”

And who on that line-up should we not miss?

“With a new album out soon, I’d definitely try and catch Family Machine, and our headliner Huck and The Xander band will make a lovely end to the night.

“Also don’t miss Brightworks. They don’t gig in Oxford as much as they used to, so this will be a nice chance to catch them.

“I think Julia Meijer will also be a nice surprise discovery for anyone that hasn’t heard her before.”

All artists are donating their time for free.

“It didn’t take much effort to convince them when they heard about the cause they would be playing for and the space they’d be in,” says Katie.

“All being such lovely people, they were more than happy to play for free, to help us raise as much money as possible.”

• Brightworks

She said the garden was the perfect spot for a music gathering, adding: “The Restore Garden is a little oasis, just off bustling Cowley Road.

“Tended to by members of Restore’s Beehive Recovery Group, it is intimate and welcoming, with little pockets of space to sit and enjoy the flowers and plants.

“On the night of the festival each area of the garden will come alive with activity, whether it’s storytelling in the willow dome, crafts in the summerhouse or marshmallow toasting on the lawn. “We have also been working on art pieces and decor to help us transform the space, so it really will feel like an enchanted garden escape, right in the middle of Oxford.”

She urged people to support the cause, saying: “Mental illness can be devastating, but people can — and do — recover.

“A small amount of support at the right time can empower someone to rebuild their life.

“Restore helps people stay out of hospital, regain their confidence and wellbeing, rediscover and develop skills, move on and lead meaningful lives.”

So why should we spend the night in a garden instead of a snug pub?

“A pub won’t be able to compare with the atmosphere of our secret garden,” says Katie.

“Plus, we’ll have fire pits and plenty of indoor space to use, should the English weather decided to misbehave.

And what is the dresscode for Kim Wilde, Charlie Dimmock and Alan Titchmarsh wannabes?

“Wear whatever makes you happy,” says Katie.

“But a pair of wellies are never a bad thing.”

In The Garden 
A six-hour programme of music in the Restore garden, Manzil Way, just off Cowley Road, Oxford, on Saturday, 5.30pm.
Tickets £7.70, from wegottickets.com