It’s all happening at Cogges Farm this weekend, finds Tim Hughes. From top bands and booze at the Beer & Cider Festival to a fun day for all the family

For a man who has played everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to the Royal Albert Hall, Stuart Macbeth’s next gig is far from his biggest or most glam.

But the frontman of vintage jazz-swing group The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band is particularly excited at the prospect of playing the third annual Cogges Beer and Cider Festival – at Witney’s Cogges Manor Farm Museum.

“It’s a real treat as a bunch of local lads to go play this event,” he says. “It’s a venue with deep roots in the community.

“Heritage venues deserve our support and we snapped up the chance to play a gig that combines jazz, history and cider. All my favourites happening in one place at the same time – who could ask for anything more?”

The seven-piece jump-blues party band are the main attraction at the festival’s opening night, tomorrow.

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April Maze, left, and Family Machine

They will be joined at the Music in the Barn event by Wes Finch and The April Maze.

The fun continues on Saturday with music and storytelling from Oxford indie folk acoustic band Family Machine, English and American roots act The Black Feathers (aka singer-songwriters Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler) and Charlie Henry.

Then, of course, there’s the liquid line-up, featuring 40 varieties of local beer and cider, including seasonal specials, limited editions and summer flavours. More sophisticated souls can keep cool with Pimm’s and lemonade and still and sparkling wine from a Summer Bar, with fresh cucumber, fruit and mint picked from Cogges’s walled garden.

Visitors can also try quality food, giant chess, lawn croquet, aunt sally, superhero wrestling and watch – and have a go at – Morris dancing by Ducklington Morris, all in the grounds of a picturesque 17th-century Cotswold farm.

A Summer Family Fun Day, on Saturday, features storytelling, a bouncy castle, farm animals, adventure play, spinning and weaving and a dressing up parlour. Family activities will also take place in the manor house, with visitors invited to make a candle holder for a Lights Out Remembrance event by the British Legion. First World War prints from the Imperial War Museum will also be on display.

Proceeds will go towards the running of Cogges, which is operated as a community charity, supported by volunteers.

Supporters will also be raising money by going into the stocks – among them Cogges director Colin Shone. He said: “The Beer and Cider Festival is now firmly established in Witney’s calendar of events. We are always grateful for the community support that Cogges receives and the festival is a great occasion for people to come together and enjoy Cogges with good company, good music and good ale.”

Stuart added: “It’s shaping up to being a great weekend. As an Oxfordshire man, I can’t wait to show off my prowess at that traditional local sport of aunt sally, and maybe seeing the band compete in the superhero wrestling.

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From left, Oscar Archibald, Roisin Morris, Lilly Partridge and Eabha Morris try apple and spoon racing at Cogges Farm

“Musically, I’m looking forward to seeing the April Maze who’re over from Melbourne for the summer. They’re a husband and wife vocal duo with cello and guitar and they’re a smash success in their own country so it’s a treat to hear them in such an intimate venue.”

The band will also be bringing along their own Rabbit Foot Original Cider, made for them by The Cotswold Cider Company. Other tipples come courtesy of West Oxfordshire’s Compass Brewery and Wychwood, Wadworth and Shotover breweries – who have all donated barrels.

The music is being hosted by Witney’s TunA the Day and the town’s Rapture record store. TunA the Day’s Adrian Phillips said: “Fine beer, cider and great music… the perfect combination. Witney deserves more events like this.”

Autumn Neagle, Cogges Marketing and Events Manager, said: “I’m looking forward to people coming along in their best festie frocks and animal outfits for a wild time at the farm. This is our biggest and most popular event of the season and it’s all about coming together and having fun. Cogges is a really special place, and people will love relaxing after hours in the beautiful grounds, where it feels like another world.

“This year the festival will be bigger and even better – last year over 600 people came along over the two evenings and this time we’re expecting even more. On Saturday afternoon while the farm is open, the bar will be open too. There will be lots of family fun things to do so everyone can join the fun, including the animals!”

She added: “I’m so excited about the line-up of live music in the barn for evening revellers, headed up by Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, the ultimate festival group, who get everyone dancing.

“I can’t wait to try try their cider too, which is bold and brassy – just like them. Best of all, people can feel good about enjoying a drink as by raising a glass, they will be raising money for Cogges!”

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Cheers!: Cogges Farm's Autumn Neagle

CHECK IT OUT
Cogges Beer and Cider Festival is on tomorrow and Saturday, from 6.30pm. Over 18s only. Tickets cost £8 from cogges.org.uk. Summer Family Day is on Saturday, 1-5pm. £5.50 adult/£4 child

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