A CELEBRATION of folk music speedily arranged after the cancellation of Oxford’s long-standing folk festival “went like a dream”.

Oxford Folk Festival was called off in February after organisers said it was financially unviable – but folk lovers rallied round to stage the Folk Weekend Oxford instead, attracting hundreds of morris dancers, musicians and singers to the city.

Venues included Oxford Castle, pubs and the Newman Rooms, in Rose Place, off St Aldate’s.

Organiser Ian Giles said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic, it’s just gone like a dream.

“The events have been very well attended all over the city. The pub sessions have been great and there have been lots of smiling faces.”

Gigs were held at the Half Moon and Clems in St Clement’s, the Old Tom in St Aldate’s, Far From the Madding Crowd, in Friars Entry, with some impromptu sessions at the Royal Blenheim, in St Ebbe’s Street, and the White Horse, in Broad Street.

Mr Giles, a castle tour guide, said: “Oxford has always been a good place for folk music, but it’s the way people have responded that has been so great. The ceilidh at the Newman Rooms was very well attended.

“There were two extra, unplanned sessions at the White Horse and Royal Blenheim where the landlords were more than happy to have folk music, and there were some mummers at several pubs around town.”

He praised an army of volunteers who came forward to help to organise the weekend’s shows.

Mr Giles, 56, added: “The plan has always been just to babysit the event so that Oxford Folk Festival can get a good springboard and come back next year.

“It’s always been one of the biggest events of the whole music calendar, so we certainly want it to return.”