A VILLAGE musical festival attracted hundreds of people – and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Saturday’s Commotion Festival 2009 in Kingham near Chipping Norton proved a huge success, despite the threat of heavy rain.

The family-friendly event, now in its fourth year, was set up by parents at Kingham Primary School.

Organisations to benefit from this year’s festival, headlined by singer Beverley Craven and tribute band Abba Gold, include children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent.

A pupils’ performance of the Queen hit We Will Rock You kicked off the afternoon, with backing by local band Relay from Chipping Norton School.

There was also a variety of performances on three different stages from local up-and-coming bands such as The Epstein and Little Fish, and singer/songwriter Matthew Kilford.

Band Charlie Don’t Surf from the Cotswold School, in Bourton-on-the-Water, won an exclusive recording session at Oxford Brookes University in the Rock Idol competition, judged by producer Steve Lipson, who has been involved with bands including Boyzone and The Rolling Stones.

Organiser Kate Woodward said: “Commotion was a phenomenal success on all levels — not only did we meet all our targets for fundraising for music education and Clic Sargent, but the day itself was fantastic fun.

“The highlight for me was looking back into the huge crowd during Abba Gold’s performance where everyone from seven to 70 was singing and dancing.”

The last Commotion Festival in 2007, attracted 500 people and raised £10,000 for charitable organisations.

news@oxfordmail.co.uk