Poshstock takes a bow after 14 years

Sophie Ellis-Bextor at Cornbury Music Festival

The last ever Cornbury Music Festival kicks off in Great Tew Park in Oxfordshire today, with Kaiser Chiefs, rock legend Bryan Adams and The Pretenders topping the bill over the weekend.

The event earned the nickname Poshstock due to its appeal to the Chipping Norton set, with David Cameron, former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, Blur bassist Alex James, Jeremy Clarkson and even royalty being regular attendees in its 14-year history.

Despite this, finances and the competitive and ever-changing scene of UK festivals have forced the event to come to an end this year.

Founder and festival organiser Hugh Phillimore said: “I feel excited, relieved and sad that this is my final Cornbury. I’ll miss my team, who are lovely – it’s a family and we’ve done it all together over the last 14 years. But I won’t miss the midnight panics and sweats for about half the year.”

The Fabulous Finale will feature performances from stellar names such as Jack Savoretti, Keane frontman Tom Chaplin and Midge Ure. Many of the acts have starred at the festival before, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ward Thomas, Scouting For Girls, Jools Holland and STAXS.

James Blunt headlined the festival in 2011

Asked for some of the standout acts during the festival’s lifetime, Mr Phillimore said: “The sadly departed Joe Cocker, who once gave me a bear hug; Amy Winehouse, who was adorable – it was before the bad man and drugs, so she was really sweet; Elvis Costello, who’s played a few times, and Imelda May – I was her manager, so she’s played eight times, the most out of any act.”

His memorable moments include being insulted by Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, and “leaning against David Cameron when very tired – while walking, so it was quite an achievement”.

Mr Phillimore admitted that it was difficult trying to stay in business. “Some years we lost a lot of money, and it was a real juggling act. I had a tough time last year and I wanted to stop while I was still in the right frame of mind, upbeat and pleased to be doing it.”

The festival has not been without its controversies, and was forced to move from its original home in Lord and Lady Rotherwick’s country estate Cornbury Park in 2011 after music company HMV sought to make a corporate bid for the event.

It has played host to the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, James Blunt, Simple Minds, Van Morrison, Ray Davies, Status Quo, Jackson Browne and The Proclaimers – and this year’s stars are set to make quite the impact, too. Mr Phillimore has been trying to book Bryan Adams for the festival for many years. Of the moment he discovered he had succeeded, he said: “I was in shock – we were turned down so many years, it was only until ten minutes later that it sunk in: ‘Oh my God, it’s a yes!'”

Cyndi Lauper proved she can still wow a crowd in 2011

Set in the surroundings of a stately home, it swiftly became known as the country’s poshest music festival. Mr Phillimore said: “My friend came up with the nickname ‘Poshstock’ in 2005, and I was furious at first. But then I thought, well, it’s better than S***stock. You need your USP, and if posh means nicely done, well-produced and safe, then I’m alright with that.” Gourmet food and a pop-up restaurant with three course meals by Masterchef finalist Matt Edwards, Morris dancers, champagne and Pimm’s tents and glamping appease the upper crust country set, while healers and therapists create a hippy-dippy vibe – there is something for everyone.

The end of the festival is a shame for those for whom Cornbury is an annual Cotswolds pilgrimage. For many children in the area, Cornbury was their first taste of live music. The festival has maintained its family orientated ethos right until the end, featuring a Kids’ Zone full of fun activities such as a circus skills workshop, Baby Bops, arts and crafts and even yoga for little ones. Mr Phillimore said: “I was a late developer – over the course of the festival I acquired a wife and a child, so it was designed with that in mind.”

He hopes that his audiences over the years have been left with a love of great music. “It’s not a complicated or cool festival,” he said. “It’s about discovering new bands and seeing great oldies who can still do their thing after all these years.”

Originally published: PA Diploma News