STARS of rock, pop and soul joined comedians, writers, TV personalities and even a former Prime Minister at a new festival celebrating music, creativity and ideas.

More than 10,000 people descended on Kirtlington Park, near Bicester, for the second Kite Festival, which came to a close on Sunday night.

They were treated to sets by indie-rockers Suede and Baxter Dury, soul icon Candi Staton, electro-pop artists Hot Chip and Alison Goldfrapp, and classic rock band The Pretenders.

In contrast to most music festivals, there was also a celebrity-studded line-up of speakers including actor Dame Joan Collins, ex-PM John Major, comic and writer David Baddiel, politicians Rachel Reeves and Michael Gove, and pop star turned novelist Susanna Hoffs.

The three-day event, held in the shadow of a grand, 18th century stately home, was blessed with glorious weather until Sunday evening when thunder and torrential rain hit the site.

Fears of lightning strikes forced Chrissie Hynde’s Pretenders to cut short their show in the large music marquee and saw the festival’s seven other stages falling silent. The music returned once the storm had passed allowing bedraggled revellers to dry off to a crowd-pleasing headline set by Suede.

Other familiar faces to grace the site’s manicured lawns included Tony Blair’s political spin doctor Alastair Campbell, and former doctor and bestselling author Adam Kay – who discussed the NHS with comic and presenter Mel Giedroyc.

Oxford Mail: The team from Oxford restaurant Taste Tibet attracted long queues of diners hungry for Himalayan fare

The team from Oxford restaurant Taste Tibet attracted long queues of diners hungry for Himalayan fare

Founder member of 80s girl group The Bangles, Susanna Hoffs provided one of the highlights of the event, sharing stories from her life with the band and details of her new book, This Bird Has Flown, which is set in Oxford. Borrowing a guitar, she also treated the crowd to renditions of some of her biggest hits.

Another massive star from the 1980s, Joan Collins delighted a packed marquee to anecdotes and observations from her long career in showbiz. Stories included memories of acting in TV smash series Dynasty and her encounters with Donald Trump – who she said had inspired her tough character Alexis Colby in the long-running soap.

Oxford Mail: Baxter Dury played a thrilling Sunday evening show after the storm had passed. Pictures by Tim Hughes

Baxter Dury. Picture by Tim Hughes

Festival director Ciro Romano said: “The long-awaited second-ever Kite brought immense joy and a renewed sense of togetherness. The enthusiastic response from our passionate audience reaffirmed the festival’s unwavering ethos. Against the stunning Kirtlington Park backdrop, attendees revelled in a weekend of unforgettable music, thought-provoking cultural experiences, and delightful new discoveries.”

The event, which was launched last year, is set to become an annual fixture with many revellers vowing to return. They included Erica Bingley from Chipping Campden who visited with her young children.

Oxford Mail: Kite Festival, Kirtlington, 2023. Picture by Tim Hughes

She said: “It has been really good, with great music and a lovely setting. I loved waking up to the sound of red kites flying over the park and the kids enjoyed cooling off with a water fight on Sunday afternoon. Perfect!”