IF YOU love hearing music in the great outdoors but want your festival experience to make a difference, this year’s Cornbury Festival could be the answer.

The festival, held in Cornbury Park, Charlbury, over the weekend of July 3-4, has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support as its official charity partner – the first time the charity has got involved in a music bash.

One of the stages has been renamed the Macmillan Riverside Stage, and VIP and competition ticket winners are being asked to make a £10-£20 donation to the cause.

Representatives from the charity will also be on site publicising the charity’s work and raising money.

It is hoped that up to £30,000 – which would fund a cancer nurse for six months – will be raised for Macmillan over the course of the weekend.

Performers this year include David Gray, Jackson Browne, Squeeze, The Feeling, Dr John and Reef.

Stella Krajewski, Macmillan’s Oxfordshire area fundraising manager, said: “Cornbury is a really well-known event so we approached festival director Hugh Phillimore, asking him to consider working with us.”

About 10 members of Macmillan staff will be on site – and they are looking for about 40 volunteers to join them.

In Oxfordshire, almost 3,000 people were diagnosed with cancer last year.

As well as hoping to raise awareness and money, Macmillan staff will be on site handing out free sunscreen, spreading the message about the dangers of skin cancer, and giving out 2,000 free cakes, provided by Witney’s Fabulous Bakin’ Boys.

Mrs Krajewski said: “There are quite a few festivals in the county but we felt the fit with Cornbury was best.

“We are very well-known for coffee and cake, Christmas carol concerts and traditional events but we have never been involved in a big rock event.

“This gives us an opportunity to reach a new and younger audience.”

There will also be a chance for Macmillan supporters to win tickets for next year’s event, by photographing themselves at the festival striking their best rock pose and uploading it to the Macmillan Oxfordshire Facebook page.

Mr Phillimore said: “Cancer affects all of us and Macmillan is a leading charity in this field. One of the upsides to Cornbury is that we can make a difference through our charity partnerships.”

Discussions are already in place for next year’s Cornbury – which will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. A big Macmillan birthday party is planned for the festival.

The Oxford Mail has teamed up with Macmillan to offer a free pair of weekend tickets to Cornbury Festival to one lucky reader.

For a chance of winning, simply tell us how many people in Oxfordshire were diagnosed with cancer last year.

Email your answer to cornbury@macmillan.org.uk with the heading Oxford Mail Competition in the subject line by noon on Friday, including full contact details. Usual rules apply. The Editor’s decision is final.

Tickets for the festival are still on sale from cornburyfestival.com or by calling 0871 4720420. They cost £55 for a day ticket or £95 for the weekend.

  • To volunteer at the festival with Macmillan, email oxfordshire@macmillan.org.uk