THOUSANDS of people will today start arriving at an Oxfordshire country house for the start of one of the county’s biggest music festivals.

Cornbury Festival takes place at Great Tew, near Chipping Norton, with scores of acts taking to its stages between today and Sunday, with artists as diverse as Ray Davies, Status Quo, James Blunt and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

For organiser Hugh Phillimore the start of the festival has also come as a huge relief.

Despite rave reviews, public affection and big names, the event has consistently failed to make a profit and last year went into liquidation.

But the festival has been put on a firm footing, following a deal with one of the UK’s biggest concert promoters, 3A Entertainment.

However, the financial upheaval and a well-publicised falling out with its previous landlord, saw the festival move away from Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, to its new home at scenic Great Tew Park.

Mr Phillimore is confident this weekend’s event, with sets by folk band Bellowhead, vintage rock act The Faces, US pop star Cyndi Lauper, Irish folk-rockers Saw Doctors and Oxford mod-rockers The Anydays, would be better than ever.

He said: “While it has been a tough year for Cornbury Festival, with some unnecessary pain that was completely avoidable, we have come out stronger, optimistic and renewed.

“We are fervently excited about our beautiful new site at Great Tew. The people here have welcomed the event and we will be doing our very best to repay their support.”

He added: “Our main aim is to make sure the festival becomes financially viable so that we can ensure its long-term future.

“Unlike many summer festivals, Cornbury remains independent and locally connected.”

Among the local bands playing are Oxford’s Prohibition Smokers Club. Frontman Lee Christian said: “Cornbury is a great event with a very mixed up range of music. We are happy to be playing, and know we’ll fit right in.”

news@oxfordmail.co.uk l Tickets are £140 for weekend camping (£60 day) available on the gate. There are cheaper tickets for young people and under-12s get in for free. VIP tickets also available.

Go to cornburyfestival.com for more details