Well, there was a short shower after all, but being British, we wouldn’t let that dampen our spirits, would we? More than 3,000 people turned up once again to enjoy one of OX4’s most cherished events last Saturday.

Elder Stubbs is a unique festival for a unique community – boasting a diverse array of attractions from performing arts to hands-on workshops, world cuisine to willow weaving. I’m sure it’s one of the few places in the country where belly dancers, martial artists and poets rub shoulders among flowers, giant wooden sculptures and vegetable patches.

With more than 50 stallholders presenting their wares throughout this urban oasis it really is colourful in every sense of the word. I wound my way through the apple orchard and enjoyed some old school dub from Natty Marks, got involved in the judging of some prize-winning pumpkins and got to go home with some delicious homemade organic jam, yum!

Ultimately, the nine-acre site is a leading example of the successful reinvention of city land use, and this annual celebration provides a welcome platform for over 20 local community groups and charities to raise valuable funds for their causes. So, be sure to have it pencilled in your diary again for next year.

One of my most enjoyable moments at Elder Stubbs Festival was watching a pop-up performance from Oxford Playhouse – which sees the city’s leading theatre taking shows to unexpected places across the county.

Well, next month they’ll be back on another patch of grass near you – this time at Osney Mead Allotments, off Botley Road. Winner of a Scotsman Fringe First Award, Allotment is a theatrical breath of fresh air – a touching dark comedy following the complex and quirky relationship between sisters Dora and Maddy. It’s a tale of life, death and a celebration of gardening that’s not to be missed. For more details and to book your tickets for performances on September 4-5 visit oxfordplayhouse.com

Next week...

You can read all about my exploits from a very special event taking place this evening. Yes, I’m going to be slinking down the red carpet at a film premier (of sorts). Cult rocker John Otway has been dubbed “Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Greatest Failure”, so in his own inimitable style he decided to celebrate himself in Otway The Movie. The self-produced documentary has been touring selected UK cinemas throughout the summer and will finally make an appearance at the Phoenix Picture House in Walton Street, tonight.

And, as if all that wasn’t enough in itself, yours truly alongside The Guide’s music editor Tim Hughes will be hosting a Q&A at the aftershow party for those of you who want to personally ask Otway the question we’ve all been thinking for all these years, “John, why?”

For more details – including your chance to join all the fun this evening from 6pm – visit otwaythemovie.com