High spirits

The gathering, organised by folk-rock band Fairport Convention, has been hailed a success despite the damp conditions.

The three-day event, which drew to a close at midnight on Saturday, attracted folk lovers from across the country - many of whom make the annual pilgrimage to the canal-side festival site, near Banbury, year after year.

The festival - which was this year re-named Fairport's Cropredy Convention - began on Thursday with sets by Jah Wobble and Californian bandleader Country Joe Macdonald, and culminated on Saturday evening with the traditional extended set by Fairport Convention.

And, while hardened fans made the most of Saturday's dry spells to dance along to their folk idols, festival-goers spent much of the day huddled stoically under umbrellas, trying in vain to keep the rain out of their pewter tankards.

Among Saturday's other highlights were sets by reggae act T & LaTouche, Essex blues-rock outfit The Hamsters, and Nashville's Beth Nielson Chapman.

For many, the high point of the festival was Friday's performance by legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter, Richard Thompson, a former member of Fairport.

There were fears this year's festival might not happen at all, following the separation of Fairport member Dave Pegg and wife Christine, but the event was saved by the efforts of Fairport themselves, and enthusiasts Rob Braviner and Gareth Williams.

Loyal Cropredy-goer Gordon Husband, from North Yorkshire, summed up the mood of the festival: "The weather could certainly have been kinder, but it was another fantastic festival. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!"

His friend Sean Speight, from North Oxford, agreed. "Everyone is just so pleased the festival has been saved. Cropredy-goers are creatures of habit and I was hoping it would be the same festival we know and love. Fortunately, apart from the new name, you wouldn't notice a single difference.

"It's the best run festival in the country, and it's great to be a part of it."