Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts

Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts

Saturday 21st June 2025 - 2. 30pm-9.00pm

Yes, we have heard you - Cumnor Festival is back!

What a fabulous line-up we will have for you and your family at the Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts on June 21st, which will again be held in the lovely extensive gardens of Hurstcote in Appleton Road, Cumnor, OX2 9QL, from 2.30pm-9.00pm - the timing has been extended to give you more big band evening pleasure! There will be a wide range of entertainment for all tastes, including: 'Radio Days' Big Swing Dance Band; Tony Payne -Ventriloquist/Puppeteer; Tony Hetherington - Country and Western Singer/Guitarist; Oxford Cherwell Big Brass Band; High Jinks - Ukulele Band; Indigo Road A-cappella Group; Mark Austin - Singer/ Guitarist from 'Creaky Knee'; Marak James - Stages Musical Theatre Company, etc... 

To get a snapshot of some previous years' goodies, click on 'gallery' on cumnorfestival.org.uk

Of course, we will have some chairs and tables for your comfort, but it will be a fabulous venue in which to enjoy a picnic on your special rug or folding chair at the perfect spot of your choice. Why not indulge yourself in a mouthwatering BBQ, afternoon teas and homemade cakes. Perhaps a glass of Prosecco or beer, while you dance to the many infectious foot­-tapping sounds of the day? 

You should have a great chance of walking away with a prize from our high-quality big prize raffle!

We very much look forward to welcoming you and your family and are sure you will enjoy a wonderful day of top entertainment, fun and friendship, as we raise money for great causes. 

All profits will go to several local cancer charities, including our own Cumnor cancer support group, Positively Pink. Tickets - held this year at a stunningly low £10 ( come and go as you please). Buy on the gate or from Cumnor Post Office. Children under 16 years are FREE but must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a large marquee so hold no fear of the worst the weather might throw at us. Ample free private parking available. We love dogs but this is a private garden, so please leave your darling pooch at home! 

Helpers Needed - Free Tickets Standing by For You 

We would love to hear from anyone who would be happy to join our merry band of volunteers on the day (free ticket for helpers). Give us a hand for reasonably short bursts of time (so you don't miss the action). We will also value some help the day before/after to erect/dismantle the smaller tents (the large marquees will be professionally installed). Cake and scone bakers will also be much welcomed. 

On previous years, the festivals have been wonderful occasions for 'letting our hair down' together in beautiful surroundings. We will have great pleasure in welcoming you and your family to the festival again this year. 

For more information, or to offer help in anyway, please call Jean on 07927 236961 or email positivelypinkoxford@gmail.com 

Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts

Saturday 15th June 2024

2.30pm - 9.00pm

It was just lovely to see so many of you at the festival again on this the sixth year. Despite the chilly, blustery weather, the numbers attending hit a completely unexpected record. Clearly, local people are made of stern stuff and they will not let a few shivers spoil their chances of enjoying a lovely family day out. The top entertainment, delicious refreshments in the always fabulous gardens of Hurstcote clearly hit the spot, and these combined delights elicited lots of positive comments about the day. Being fully aware that the festival could not happen at all without all our amazing helpers, the immense generosity of Catherine and Ted Mott and their totally breath-taking gardens, I organised a simple drinks and nibbles garden party in the big red stretch tent (so synonymous with Cumnor Festival), as a tiny token of my immeasurable thanks for all that they have done on behalf of the cancer charities and, equally importantly, the West Oxford community. 

Our entertainers provided a wealth of first-class music, through jazz, folk, classical, a cappella and pop genres, from the 1930's right up to the present day. Sir Philip Pullman CBE FRSL, writer of numerous books and stories, some of which gave inspiration to top screen adaptations and theatre productions, including the widely acclaimed television series, 'His Dark Materials', royally entertained us 'in conversation' with me. Philip has a delightful sense of humour and a super skill for storytelling, which is as evident in real life as it is in his writing.

To round off our day, whilst we sipped Prosecco, we were delighted to enjoy nearly 2 hours of entertainment from the Glen Miller style Velvet Tones Big Band, which consisted of 24 players, joined by singer Clare Abbott, who got us up and dancing, or at the very least our feet tapping, to our favourite jazz and swing numbers. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped prepare for the day - putting up tents, gazebos, bunting, posters, banners, making refreshments, etc... Also on the day, to the bevvy of lovely ladies who served cream teas, homemade cakes, tasty savouries and other scrumptious delights. To the ladies in the wine/beer tent, from Cumnor Hill House Care Home team who so very generously staffed and supplied drinks... Thanks go to Oxenford House Care Home staff who also provided us with lovely cakes - our gratitude also to some of their Trustees who staffed the ticket sales table. And last, but by no means least, thanks to the skilful photographers, Diane and Steven Braggs, and Martin Harris who produced lots of great photos - some of which you see here.

PLEASE LEND US YOUR MUSCLES! 

 I will start planning, almost immediately, the festival entertainment for 2025, but as the current fabulous team will hopefully be further advanced in years, we will definitely need a group of younger, more sprightly helpers to erect small gazebos, move chairs around and generally share with us their lovely support. Please contact Jean ifyou would like to offer a little of your time to this much loved community building and charity fund raising event. 

All profits from this festival were shared with Positively Pink Oxford cancer support and activities group, which is based in Cumnor, the Maggie's Centre (charity) for cancer support at the Churchill Hospital, the Manor Hospital Oncology Unit to add a little extra comfort and equipment to their chemotherapy area, and to Oxenford House Care Home for their resident's treats fund. Ifyou are wondering why we support The Manor Private Hospital, it is because of the little-known fact that it is run by the non-profit making charitable organisation - Nuffield Health. 

My great thanks also go to all those generous people who donated raffle prizes and/or much valued sponsorship towards some costs -

• Cumnor Hill House Care Home

• The Bear and Ragged Staff

• Michael Caine - Butcher

• Mandy Horby

• Maggie Salinger

• The Vine

• Vivien Payne 

• Nicky Sullivan 

• Susan Walls 

• Angela Payne 

• Barney Hassell 

My sincere apologies to the lovely people who donated raffle prizes, but whose names I do not know. Thank you too. 

This day could not have happened without any of you. What a fabulous community we have! 

If you know any talented performers who would like to be considered for next year's festival, please contact Jean ­positivelypinkoxford@gmail.com or call 07927 236961. 

Thank you to the many photographers whose photos you see on these pages.

All profits from the day were shared with Positively Pink  Oxford breast cancer support and activities group, which  is based in Cumnor, the Maggie's Centre (charity) for  cancer support at the Churchill Hospital, the Manor  Oxford Hospital Oncology Unit to add a little  extra comfort to their chemotherapy area, and to Oxenford House Care Home for their resident's treats fund. If you are wondering why we support The Manor Private Hospital, it is because of the little­ known fact that it is run by the non-profit making charitable organisation - Nuffield Health. 

My great thanks also go to all those generous people who donated raffle prizes and/or much valued sponsorship towards some costs - 

• Philip and Jude Pullman

• Jayne and John Putt

• Suné Markowitz-Shulman

• Mandy Horby

• Cumnor Hill House Care Home 

• The Bear and Ragged Staff

• The Vine

• Michael Caine - Butcher

• Nicky Sullivan 

I can never thank enough Catherine and Ted Mott, for so generously sharing with us again this year their fantastic gardens, and for all the preparations they make for us behind the scenes. 

This day could not have happened without any of you. What a fabulous community we have in Cumnor! If you know any talented performers who would like to be considered for next year's festival, please contact Jean Pryce-Williams - positivelypinkoxford@gmail.com or call 07927 236961.