Tim Hughes looks forward to a little festival with big ideas - this weekend celebrating its 50th anniversary

For most of the year Towersey is a pretty, if unremarkable village of about 500 souls. But for one week it becomes something remarkable - the site of the country’s longest-running independent music festival.

Starting 50 years ago as a gathering ina pub garden to raise funds to refurbish their village hall, Towersey Festival has grown into a five-day feast of bands, all with a folky, rootsy twist.

And while it has grown from that initial gathering - attracting 10,000 people - it has remained the same in one important aspect: it’s sense of community.

“We are the friendlest festival around,” says festival director Joe Heap, who today welcomes revellers on site for the 50th anniversary festival.

“Towersey is all about the people. We create a little community of our own and people say it’s like a whole other world they can escape to.”

Between now and Monday, they will be treated to more than 200 acts playing 12 stages. And while the festival has moved slightly away from it’s pure folk background to incoportate blues, jazz and some rock, it still focussed on roots. Big names include Fab Four tribute The Bootleg Beatles tonight; Fairport Convention founder and acclaimed singer-songwriter Richard Thompson tomorrow; and folk-musicians Seth Lakeman, Lau, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy, on Saturday.

Sets also come from local girl Megan Henwood, Ashley Hutchings, the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, Michael McGoldrick & John McCusker, Dick Gaughan, Georgia Ruth, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Dan Walsh, The Melrose Quartet, Rusty Shackle, Whapweasel, and The Urban Folk Quartet.

“It’s a celebration of roots music,” says Joe, 39, who was raised in Towersey. “The foundation is folk music, but we have a wider range of music every year - all with a roots vibe.”

Something of a family concern, the festival was set up by Joe’s grandfather, Dennis Manners and was run for many years by his father Steve Heap, 65 - who remains a co-director. But the event wouldn't be possible without the army of local supporters and volunteers who turn out every year.

So what is it about this gathering which continues to pull in the crowds after half a century?

“We know our audience and look after them,” says Joe.

“There’s a sense of community and, for me, that’s important for a festival. Your camping neighbours or those people you meet at the bar will become your new friends. It’s all about people smiling and getting on together more than jumping up and down in a field.”

So what is he particularly looking forward to?

Oxford Mail:

“Getting Richard Thompson to play is a coup,” he says. “He is regularly named one of the top 10 guitarists and singer-songwriters in the world and his songs have been covered far and wide.

"He is a legend. If you like great guitar music and songwriting then he is something to behold.

"Seth Lakeman will be great on the Saturday too."

"The Bootleg Beatles are also amazing,” he goes on, predicting great things from tonight’s headline slot. “They are the world’s best Beatles tribute, have a huge following, and are bigger than The Beatles in that they have played to more people. It’s significant too because 1965, when the festival began, was also a big year for The Beatles - with them breaking America. Towersey traditionally finishes with a rendition of Hey Jude as well.

“But what I’m most looking forward to is The Chipolatas takeover night on Saturday. They are a great street theatre group with music, clowns and magic.”

Oxford Mail:

Among world's finest guitarists: Richard Thompson

And with campers already arriving, Joe is braced for the best, if busiest, weekend of his year. “We are chuffed to bits we have reached 50 years,” he smiles. “Some festivals have a few years on us, but they are not independent; they are either backed by big companies or local authorities.

"And we plan to carry on for as long as we can.”

  • Towersey Festival runs from today until Monday.
  • Weekend tickets are £135 for adults. Camping is extra. Day, youth and child tickets are also available.
  • Call 023 8071 1818 or go to towerseyfestival.com