Minster Lovell Beer Festival attracts big crowds

The Minster Lovell Beer Festival and Village Day, near Witney, returned to the banks of the River Windrush yesterday as temperatures climbed above 30C.

A host of live bands kept people from the village and beyond entertained, while the scorching conditions meant many of the beers and ciders on offer sold out completely.

Organiser, Eddy Dunn, revealed crowds were far above expected but said it contributed to a memorable day.

He added: "We had a fantastic attendance on a very warm day. It was great to see so many locals getting together to enjoy the day, we can’t wait for next year."

Thirsty punters flocked to the site all afternoon as a range of Oxfordshire bands provided the soundtrack in picturesque surroundings.

Up to 1,500 people have attended the festival's recent editions, but the warm weather meant numbers exceeded even that.

Witney-based Windrush Radio whipped up an excitable atmosphere in the beer tent as volunteers behind the bar worked hard to keep up with demand.

In addition to the music, a range of fairground rides and food and craft stalls kept revellers busy, while others preferred to lounge about on the grass as the heat rose.

Mr Dunn paid tribute to the range of companies and individuals who sponsored the event, as well as the artists who played for free.