Cornbury Festival 2011 proved to be one of the most exciting and successful events in Oxfordshire this summer.

The line–up consisted of a wide array of spectacular acts ranging from classic rock superstars, The Faces and Status Quo to singing sensation James Blunt.

During the day, the grounds were alive with the hustle and bustle of beaming campers and visitors. With a constant stream of music spewing from the arena, the atmosphere never differed from one of pure excitement and glee. Laughter could always be heard above the low rumble of voices.

The festival offered a multitude of services and goods. Countless stalls sold everything from brightly coloured ponchos and sombreros to small trinkets such as necklaces and bracelets which were encrusted with brightly coloured stones and beads.

The friendly atmosphere of the festival was reflected in the faces of all the stall owners. There was a tattoo stall where you could go and get a temporary tattoo sprayed onto your body. The owners were exceptionally friendly and treated you like an old friend. It seemed as though even the staff were there to have fun rather than work.

One of the most notable features of the festival was the food. Ranging from vegan to Caribbean, most cuisines were present, with steak burgers, enchiladas, Thai noodles, and goat curry tantalising the senses.

Representatives from restaurants and food companies were present.

The Alpro Soya Company’s stall proved to be a hotspot for young visitors. Diving into a giant bowl full of strawberry shaped cushions, plastic balls and a huge spoon, you could get your photo taken with your friends and then have the photo sent to your email address to be uploaded onto your computer. And you also got a free sample.

The music continued well into the night. When the daytime visitors had left and darkness began to fall, the view of the arena from the tents was beautiful - with streams of technicolour lights.

When all music stopped and the arena was closed, the evening was left to the campers.

A unique sense of camaraderie formed in the darkness. Friends and stranger alike became one as inhibitions were thrown to the wind.

Festivities continued into the early hours, and the distant sound of laughter never seemed to cease.

Headlining on the Friday was James Blunt. In the moments up to his performance, the crowd was alive with buzzing anticipation.

Upon his arrival, the air was filled with cheering for this ex–army captain turned musical sensation.

Performing well known hits such as You're Beautiful, Goodbye My Lover, and 1973, Blunt gave a ferocious performance culminating in a stage dive during an enthusiastic guitar solo.

As he sailed across the audience, the singer-songwriter could be seen triumphantly raising his arms in the air displaying genuine joy and passion which, for me, was what Cornbury Festival is all about.

On the second day, rock ‘n’ roll legends The Faces delivered a stunning performance supported by The Kinks’ lead vocalist, and a legend in his own right, Ray Davies.

The two classic rock pioneers played back to back, delivering such well known classics such as Davies' hits All Day and All of the Night and Sunday Afternoon and The Faces' Stay with Me - which even the younger members of the audience seemed to enjoy.

Giving lucky festival goers a glimpse into the past, The Faces performed with vigour and potency.

The success of the performance was reflected in the deafening cheers of the crowd once the music had stopped. With modest words of thanks, the band left the stage, leaving the entertainment to the campers who streamed back to their tents, empowered by classic rock and adrenaline.

Festivities continued on into the night.

Moving onto the third and final day of the festival, headlining was classic rock band Status Quo who performed all of their greatest hits with tenacity. Opening with Sweet Caroline, the audience was immediately barraged by powerful electric guitar and soulful piano, backed up with the rich singing voice of Francis Rossi who managed to entice the crowd with his own unique brand of audience participation.

With the crowd thoroughly enthralled with every note, The Quo proceeded to release a set full of power, wildness and the kind of humour which only one of the most celebrated rock bands in UK musical history can deliver.

Cornbury Festival 2011 succeeded in entertaining patrons both young and old.

The mood was constantly electrified by the activities on offer, the music and, most importantly, the attitude of the crowd.

The musicians had a great time, and the audience repaid the love.