Well – it was all rather fantastic, wasn’t it? Everything about Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 was wonderful – the weather, the vibe and – of course – the excellent music all combined to provide a festival that was perfect in every way. Whether your passion is for lazing on a sunny afternoon whilst the jazzy sounds of King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys waft over your head, reveling in the skirl o’ the pipes or rocking your remaining locks to a bona-fide rock God, there was something at Cropredy ’25 for you.

Indeed, here at At The Barrier, we’re sensing a groundswell of opinion that this year’s event was one of the best ever. But – don’t just take our word for that. We’ve been chatting to a variety of people who were involved in the festival to gather their views and recollections. here’s what they’ve had to say:

MARTIN GETHIN – FESTIVAL REGULAR

Like so many festival debutants, Martin and his wife, Jane, attended their first Fairport’s Cropredy Convention out of curiosity and, now, they can’t be kept away. Sounds familiar?

POIGNANT MOMENTS

ATB: How was Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 for you?

MG: 2025 was our 4th year….it would have been 6 but for the COVID cancellations in 2020 & 2021.

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

MG: So the standout moment from this year must be the festivals existence after the tension of  so many festivals folding. And an appreciation of just how much work must have gone on behind the scenes, making some difficult, cost-cutting decisions. It worked !!!

ATB: How long have you been attending the festival and what was it that enticed you along in the first place?

MG: We’ve attended the last 4, and wished it was many more. We’d been meaning to come for many years, but work, lack of finances, family commitments always seemed to get in the way… but – we’re here now !!!

ATB: What are your 3 favourite aspects of the festival that distinguish Fairport’s Cropredy Convention from any similar event?

MG: 3 favourite aspects… the friendly, safe environment, the friendships formed and maintained,  the field (ie just 1 stage), and the camping, having the car next to the tent……I think I’ve mentioned 4 there !

WE’LL BE BACK!

ATB: And what are your 3 favourite memories from previous years’ events?

MG: Standout moments…hmm … so many. In terms of Cropredy as a festival the following – FC’s opening notes….you know its finally underway; Richard Digance’s hanky waving (and Kiss Cam this year !!!) ; Meet On The Ledge….always a poignant moment. In terms of music, many of the great bands – for Jane & me, in 2024, Steve Hackett and Rick Wakeman, 10CC, Jane loves Trevor Horn, pleasantly surprised by Nile Rogers, For me, Robert Fripp, Big Big Train, Solstice, and a   special mention for the final Strawbs gig.

ATB: Will you be coming along to Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2026?  If so, are there any acts that you’d particularly like to see on the festival bill?

MG: We’ll  definitely be there 2026. Jane would like to continue with a more poppy headline band in the mould of Trevor Horn, 10cc, as she likes a dance !!! Probably out of our price range, but Mike & The Mechanics have a lot of good hits. This year there were quite a few acts we hadn’t heard of, but it didn’t matter…they were all great.

Plumhall – PERFORMERS AND ATB FAVES

Michelle Plum and Nick Hall – aka Plumhall – are no strangers to the Cropredy stage but 2025 marked their debut as a billed act at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention – and the sparks flew!

THE STUFF OF DREAMS!

ATB: How was Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 for you?

NH: Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 felt like possibly the best Cropredy I’ve ever attended! I was in tears watching the sublime Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire and so impressed by the Cropredy Primary School Folk Group. It felt like Fairport were thinking so much about legacy and the future of folk music – which is such a brilliant thing to do. On a personal level, I had my brother Duncan there (who hasn’t been able to attend Cropredy for some years) and it was my niece’s first Cropredy. It was brilliant watching her enjoy herself so much and be inspired by all the incredible music. We had loads of friends there to support us and Michelle and I were so grateful for that.

Oh yes – and we played! The crew at Cropredy and the whole Fairport family were so brilliant and supportive. It was an incredible weekend. Michelle was just so wonderful on that stage – a total pro!

MP: Cropredy 2025 was a dream! Playing that hallowed stage as the Plumhall extended band felt incredible, it’s something we thought we could only ever dream about.

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

NH: For me the standout moment was when the Conservatoire joined Fairport Acoustic. The sound they created together was simply awesome and awe-inspiring. I was looking along the line of Michelle and our friends and family and we were all in tears of joy! I also have to say the moment when Fairport Acoustic and the whole field sang Happy Birthday to Michelle was such a special moment too! (and there she is on the big screen!)

MP: There were so many standout moments, it’s hard to pick just one.  On a personal level, Fairport and the entire field singing Happy Birthday to me… I’ll never forget that…! So lovely of Fairport to do such a thing for me. DM coming onstage and giving us hugs just before we played our set. We were having tech problems right at the start, and that gesture just calmed us. 

From a festival point of view, where do I start? Joe Broughton’s Folk Conservatoire were absolutely breathtaking. Such talent, such energy! I’d never seen them before, they blew me away. El Pony Pisador were an absolute delight, as of course was Fairport.

ATB: It was great to see Plumhall take its well-deserved place on the festival bill.  How was your place confirmed to you and how did it feel when it was?

NH: Thank you! It was a dream come true – it really was. We thought guesting with Fairport and Ralph McTell at last year’s Cropredy was a moment that couldn’t be beaten but to play our own set… we can’t express how much we appreciate it! Thank you Fairport! I remember we were staying with a good friend in London last year, about to perform at a house concert, when we got the call from Peggy confirming our appearance. We jumped around a lot!!! We couldn’t believe it, frankly!

MP: Thank you for saying that! We got a phone call from Peggy when we were in London, about to play a house concert. As a result, that house concert was a most joyful affair… it was hard to keep the smile off our faces, even on the serious songs, unfortunately!

THE PLUMHALL BIG BAND

ATB: For many of those present, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 will have been their first experience of seeing Plumhall in its ‘Big Band’ format.  Of course, the festival was a ‘no-brainer’ but how do you select the gigs at which you’ll field the supplemented lineup, and how often does this happen?

NH: Peggy asked us to bring an extended band line up to Cropredy and it was such a great idea. We’d already done a few shows as a trio with David P Crickmore, so it felt very natural to add his very talented son James to the line up on the drums. The line up people saw at Cropredy was the line up that made our most recent album – so it made total sense. We did copious amounts of preparation, arrangement and rehearsal with the band and also did two warm up shows at two of our favourite venues – Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton (Leeds) and Settle Victoria Hall.

The reactions from the audiences at both shows gave us loads of confidence. Adding Paul Smith on sound and having our own crew member with us – in the shape of Mark Stainburn – added to that sense of confidence at Cropredy. We want to do more band shows and we’ve already got a couple of shows booked early next year and a couple of festivals have already booked us for 2027. It will be a case of taking the duo to smaller venues and taking the band into larger spaces. It also means we can take the band into rock venues and festivals. Plumhall as a duo have played in more mainstream rock venues as a support, so now we could aim for those same venues with the power of the band. It’s a very exciting prospect! It’s great though that we also have the duo because it means we can take our songs anywhere!

MP: Cropredy 2025 was only the 3rd performance of the big band format, so it’s still early days…but at Cropredy we were absolutely stunned by the response at the signing tent, and we were approached by festival organisers there too. Festivals and a few select headline shows seem like a natural fit for the band. Nick and I still plan to continue as a duo, with the big band an occasional boost, but who knows what the future holds?

ATB: What’s next for Plumhall?  What are your plans for tours, your next album and anything else that you might have in store?

NH: We’ve got an Autumn Acoustic/Electric Duo Tour next, and we’re still putting together our 2026 dates at the moment. That will be a mixture of duo and band shows. We’re also looking forward to playing on a beautiful ship on the Douro River in Portugal next year  – it’s going to be an amazing cruise with Fairport Convention. Huge thanks to the whole team at Harmony Voyages – it’s going to be immense! We have loads of new material so during the Autumn Tour we’ll be selecting songs, trying out arrangements and prepping for album number four. We’ve also got a couple of interesting potential projects in the pipeline that we can’t really talk about yet! Watch this space! 

MP: We have an autumn tour imminent, an exciting busman’s holiday on the Douro in Portugal with Fairport Convention next year 2026 (would that be a boatman’s holiday..? 😁), and we’re working on a new album right now. But our production line is famously slow, so there’s no release date in sight yet. However, we’d love to release something next year. Watch this space! 

Then there’s the PLUMHALL musical and dance troupe to consider… haha!

ATB: Young James Crickmore is one heck of a drummer and he turned a lot of heads during Plumhall’s Cropredy performance.  What else is he up to when he isn’t providing the power behind Plumhall?

NH: James is incredible! He played a blinder! We were so proud of him and it was lovely seeing his Mum and sister beaming so proudly at him down the front during the gig! He was so great at the signing session and during interviews after the show. A very impressive young man! James was prepping for his A-Levels while we were getting ready for Cropredy and he’s done very well indeed! He’ll be off to university very soon – but we’ll steal him back for band gigs! James is also an excellent singer and guitarist – he fronts a great band called Sonus and they’re doing really well locally. He’s also been the official reporter for Bradford City’s Under 19’s until very recently. Everyone in the Crickmore family is very talented indeed! 

MP: Yes, what a find! James was literally created by our other band mate David Crickmore (and his wife Emma of course), and we thank them for that! We also thank DM for providing the inspiration that led to James’ interest in the drums. James also has a cracking singing voice and plays guitar. Multi-talented! He’s about to head off to uni so live music might take second place for a short while… but he’s not going far (geographically speaking) so we can reel him back in for the odd show, which is fantastic news for us. I thought he was 19 at Cropredy and said so from the stage. At the time of writing he’s actually 18! Even more extraordinary that he has that level of ability and composure playing the biggest gig of his life! He’s a lovely lad too.

REBECCA RYAN – BRASENOSE HOSTESS AND A MOVER AND SHAKER BEHIND the fringe

Whilst the roistering was underway up the Home Farm field, further celebrations were underway in the heart of Cropredy village. The Brasenose Fringe gets bigger and more attractive every year, thanks to the efforts of Rebecca Ryan and the Brasenose team.

LOVELY PEOPLE, LOVELY ATMOSPHERE

ATB: How was the Cropredy Festival 2025 weekend for you?

RR: It was a great weekend, full of great people with a lovely atmosphere.

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

RR: For me personally, it was The Dunwells’ performance on Saturday afternoon. They epitomised the essence of the Fringe; great musicianship, positivity and an uplifting message in their songs.

ATB: The lineup for the 2025 Fringe Festival was particularly impressive. And the event seems to grow in profile each year.  Where do you see it going next?

RR: Building on the success of 2025, we see the Fringe 2026 having an equally talented lineup. We intend to continue to provide guests who are attending Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, fringe guests and locals with a wonderful venue, and great food and drink – a festival atmosphere to really enjoy.

THE PLANNING STARTS NOW!

ATB: Describe some the logistics involved in making the Brasenose Fringe success.

RR: Planning for the following year’s Fringe starts one week after the festival ends. To us, this is so important as we can enhance all of the good bits from the current year and iron out any issues that come to light. Talking to bands and agents this early allows us the best chance of securing the artists we think our guests would love to see. Our decoration is tied into the colour scheme for the posters at this time and work begins…

February sees all of the planning start in earnest with pre-orders for drinks and food from our suppliers and construction for infrastructure is planned. Liaison with confirmed artists allows our programme to take shape.

ATB: The Brasenose has a long-established reputation as a ‘music’ pub.  Do you see potential for more ‘big’ music events at other times of the year, in addition to the Fringe?

RR: At this current time, and climate, there are no plans for additional ‘big’ music events; however, who knows what the future will bring…

ATB: Would you consider continuing with the Fringe if, heaven forbid, Fairport were unable to keep Fairport’s Cropredy Convention afloat?

RR: It is our hope that we will continue to co-exist with Fairport’s Cropredy Convention for many years to come, in order to provide the village and all festival goers with a brilliant week, including the Brasenose Fringe which many have come to love.

HOWARD KING – AT THE BARRIER WRITER AND BEARER OF BISCUITS

A Cropredy regular since 2014 and an At The Barrier scribe almost since our inception, Howard King is another who couldn’t be kept away by plague, pestilence or prohibition. Here he advises how to enjoy Britain’s finest festival AND meet a publication deadline. He brings the biscuits too!

SITTING ON A PARK BENCH…

ATB: How was Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 for you?

HK: It was an excellent 3 days which lived up to all expectations, the spirit of Cropredy is still there despite the changes.

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

HK: One of the standout moments for me was the Martin Barre set. Seeing him perform all those Tull favourites , hearing his versions which are by no means weaker than the originals. His performance had humour too, which obviously we never saw under the shadow of Ian Anderson . Witnessing him playing flute too was a unique moment.

The biggest memory to take home was when the whole field lit up with lights from mobiles. This my be common to many concerts these days but it looked like the field was still 20,000 strong and was the moment when as an event to be at it showed that Cropredy is as alive as ever. It was a moment that even surpassed the Robert Plant moment, which is what many hope for each year as it reflected the unity between us all.

ATB: As a reviewer, which particular aspects of the Festival (and The Fringe) did you cover?

HK: It was a privilege to cover the two guitar heroes Martin Barre and Albert Lee who displayed very different techniques yet showed off exceptional expertise and showed that you don’t have to be loud and flashy.

El Pony Pisador were the surprise package of the festival. Nobody knew what to expect but as usual Cropredy throws out unfamiliar acts who can put on a magnificent show. Churchfitters were more of a known quantity but also along with The Salts showed the diversity and originality on the folk scene these days. From a reviewer’s point of view its refreshing to write about the many different styles of music that are on the bill each day at Cropredy. It was also nice to get the chance to go to The Brasenose on the eve of the festival when the fringe shows started with Rolling Folk and Trad Arr. Two bands who could have been comfortable Main Stage acts.

DEADLINE? WHAT DEADLINE?

ATB: The At The Barrier reviews were published just a couple of days after the festival finished – the festival ended at midnight on Saturday 9^th August and the Day One review was out by mid-day on Monday 11^th.  Describe how you managed to enjoy the festival (and Fringe) yet still managed to get your reviews submitted on time.

HK: This year I tackled the reviewing process very differently to previous years knowing [ATB Editors] Dom and Mike like to get the review out quickly. So I made notes during performances so I could still enjoy the performances and not feel burdened or pressured by the reviewing responsibilities. Then I copied out the first draft in the morning onto my laptop or the draft in my notebook during the musical breaks and copied it out onto laptop. all it needed then was some refinements at home before submitting.

ATB: What are your 3 favourite aspects of the festival that distinguish Fairport’s Cropredy Convention from any similar events?

HK: All the other festivals I go to are vastly different The R&B festival in Colne is multi venue and in a small town setting, The Gilbert and Sullivan festival is theatre-based and my one visit to Download festival spans a much larger area with several stages and is as friendly as Cropredy.

I enjoy the diversity of music at Cropredy and always discover new music, the Oxfordshire countryside is ideal for Cropredy and enhances the calm, relaxed vibes you always get, which contribute to the camaraderie as everyone is there for the music and not the event.

ATB: Will you be coming along to Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2026?  If so, are there any acts that you’d particularly like to see on the festival bill?

HK: Will I go next year? I say every year how grateful I am to my pal Tom for asking me along ten years ago as I’d always wanted to go. It is the musical highlight of the year and now we are involved in the PR for the event and reviewing it has become even more special. Renewing friendships and making new ones is all part of the 3 glorious days so – no, I’m not going ( only joking chaps!!!)

For future artists Magpie Arc , Fuzzy Lights, Decemberists, Waterboys, Squeeze, Saucerful of Secrets, Space

GEORGIA ROSE LUCAS – SANDY’S DAUGHTER; KEEPER OF THE FLAME

What can we say? Sandy and Trevor’s daughter, Georgia, is now a Cropredy fixture and we’re so pleased that she is. The poignancy of her presence cuts so very deep.

A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE

ATB: How was Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 for you?

GRL: This year was another special one. I can’t wait for this time of year to see my friends on the field—living so far away is hard. Being part of the festival is very humbling. This year, I hosted the Sandy Denny Exhibition at the Brasenose Arms during the day, then spent the afternoon on the field talking to people about my mum and showcasing my artwork. On the final day, I organized a flash raffle for the Motor Neuron Disease Association in Gerry Conway’s name (he sadly passed away from the disease in early 2024). We raised over £1,015! 

This year’s festival felt smaller but more intimate—like a warm reunion.  

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

GRL: There were so many! The Peatbog Faeries were absolutely amazing—I got to watch their set with one of my favourite family friends, Mr. Ralph McTell. We stood in the middle near the sound booth, sharing the experience together—but Fairport’s closing set is always magical. They played five of their older songs that my mum performed back in the day. Simon dedicated Who Knows Where The Time Goes to me and announced the exhibition would stay open an extra day at the Brasenose.  

Of course, Meet On The Ledge was unforgettable. Surrounded by my team, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment—everything I’d hoped to achieve, I did. It was fabulous.  

ATB: How did you get to know of the Sandy Denny Project band, and how do you feel they reflect your mother’s legacy?

GRL: They first contacted me before my visit to Cropredy in 2019, and we’ve shared a special bond ever since. On the second day of the Brasenose Fringe, I presented the Sandy Denny memorial bench, which was unveiled just after the Sandy Denny Project played. They came down after their set and performed White Dress around the bench – it made it all very special.  

At their Sandy Fest concerts, they always call me by Skype from the stage so I can greet the audience and be part of the festivities. Living so far away, this means the world to me – it’s such a lovely way to feel connected to something I can’t always attend in person. It’s touching to know they include me in their work.  

The band radiates love for my mum and her music. I feel she’d be proud of how they honour her legacy with such respect and passion.  

JUST THE BEGINNING…

ATB: What future plans do you have for the exhibition and the preservation of Sandy’s legacy?

GRL: The Brasenose exhibition is just the beginning—we’re working toward setting up semi-permanent home for the archive in London – hopefully within the next three years. The Sandy Denny Archive Project is at a critical phase, which involves bringing across all my mum’s belongings from Australia, digitising her notebooks and photos and arranging conservation of her dresses.  

In 2026, we’ll release The People’s History of Sandy Denny with Spenwood Books—a compilation of stories from fans, collaborators, and friends. I’m also hoping to organise a small Carla Fuchs tour that year, celebrating my mum’s music with performances of her classic songs and tracks from the Songbird album (released in 2023 to coincide with the first exhibition).  

By 2027 (her 80th birthday), we’ll host a Sandy Denny Birthday Bash concert. 2028 marks 50 years since her passing, so the next few years will be busy! The GoFundMe will continue supporting these efforts to safeguard her legacy.  

ATB: Your presence at this year’s festival meant a great deal to the legion of fans who hold Sandy in such regard.  How welcome were you made to feel?

GRL: It’s magical and humbling to connect with people who love my mum. Hearing their stories—their joy and even their grief—makes me feel alive. Everyone’s kindness reminds me how much her legacy matters and how important it is I do as much as I can to make sure future generations get to know her music too  

ATB: Are you planning to come back to Cropredy in future years?

GRL: Absolutely—it’s a lifeline. The festival isn’t just an event; it’s a cherished ritual for me. Once you’ve experienced it, nothing else compares. I’m already counting down the days to my return—and to share it with my family someday.  

CROPREDY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL FOLK CLASS – PERFORMERS, VILLAGERS

They took our breath away! The responsibility of getting Day 2 of this year’s festival underway fell to the 43 children of the Cropredy C of E Primary School Folk Class and their teacher Katie Harris – and they did a marvelous job, dazzling the crowd with their vocal, instrumental and dancing skills. Several of the children share their reactions to what will, surely, be an experience that they will remember all their lives.

LOVED, EXCITED AND NERVOUS!

ATB: What instrument(s) did you play?

1: Spoons with huge enthusiasm and drum. I would have liked to sing too, but didn’t.

2: Accordion and tin flute.

3: Stick and squeeze box.

4: Lots!

5: Ukulele

6: Keyboard, Accordion and bodhran drum.

7: Singing, spoons, accordion.

8: Noah: Accordion & bodhran Drum. Jacob: Shruti, acordion and bodhran drum.

9: Keyboard, accordion and bodhran.

10: Spoons, bodhran, piano and singing.

ATB: How did you feel as the field started filling up, with 6,000 people?

1: I felt loved, excited and nervous!

2: Excited!

3: It was a moment I won’t ever forget, I felt excited and nervous.

4: Nervous & excited!

5: I was elated at the fact I had this incredible opportunity.

6: Very excited to see so many people running in. [Editor’s note: We were amongst them…]

7: A bit nervous, but excited…

8: I thought it was quite funny that everyone ran to get the best spot in the field – it was absolutely hilarious!

9: Very excited!

10: Excited.

ATB: Which song was your favourite in your concert?

Children: One went for Mary Mack, one for the Shanty and the rest plumped for The Wellerman (with one group member emphasising that he/she liked them all, but The Wellerman was probably his/her fave).

ATB: Do you have any favourite folk songs that you have learned about?

1: None in particular.

2. Yes – I enjoyed learning all of them but some had tricky lines in when the songs got faster.

3. I enjoyed learning all of the songs.

4. Mary Mack.

5. All the songs Katie taught us. She also told us about Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys and I listen to his song, Guiding Lights. I liked the Churchfitters and Skipinnish and listen to their music at home.

6. The Wellerman.

7. Mary Mack.

8. Mary Mack.

9. Rio Grande.

THE EXPERIENCE WILL LAST A LIFETIME

ATB: Would you like to be a musician when you are older?

1: No but the experience will last a lifetime. So thanks for the opportunity Cropredy school!

2: I enjoy music but I do not know yet.

3. I would like to continue learning music and playing instruments.

4. Both Noah & Jacob said “No!”

5. No.

6. Maybe…

7. No – but I would like to be involved in music in some form.

8. Absolutely, that would be wonderful.

9. Yes.

10. No.

DAVE PEGG – FAIRPORT BASSIST, FESTIVAL HEAD BOY

The man without whom none of this would have ever happened. Peggy shares his thoughts on Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 and hints at what might be in the pipeline.

ROBERT GRACED OUR STAGE – AGAIN!

ATB: How was Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 for you?

DP: Cropredy 2025 was a great one. I loved all the acts and we played well – and the weather was kind. The audience response has been very favourable and it really was a joyous event.

ATB: What was the weekend’s single standout moment?

DP: For me, it was when Robert Plant joined Deborah Bonham’s band to do a couple of Zep. songs. John Bonham was one of my best mates and Robert has graced our stage several times in the past. I would love to see him with Saving Grace next year if he is able to fit us in.

ATB: We’re all aware how tough and uncertain festival circumstances are these days, but were the criteria that will make Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2026 a viable proposition met?

DP: We made it work on paper financially and theoretically and we will know in October when we have our A.G. M. If we got it right.

I have no doubts that we will be able to continue due to the love and support and understanding that we received from ticket buyers. Selling only 3 day tickets and restricting the numbers to 6,500 guaranteed us a figure which became our budget and avoided the risk of not knowing how many tickets we would sell and the gamble of potential bankruptcy which has affected so many festivals.

Many years ago, when Christine and I started Cropredy, lots of people quizzed us on how to go about organising a festival. My first question to them was are you a houseowner? And would you like to lose it? Some did !

ATB: At The Barrier has the privilege of discovering lots of fine new talent.  Are you open to suggestions for future Cropredy lineups?

DP: We are always open to suggestions for bands/ performers to present. I have already had about 30 proposed for next year! As there is only one stage and many aspects to consider regarding programming and presentation, we like to see two or three video clips of acts performing live, in order to judge their musical ability and crowd appeal.

It helps us if acts have at least had nationwide tour experience and have a following who will come to Cropredy to see them.

FAIRPORT CONVENTION – THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE…

ATB: What can we expect from Fairport in the coming months?  The 2025 Autumn Tour has been announced and tickets seem to be selling well.  Is a 2026 Wintour on the cards?  Are there any plans for a new album?

DP: Fairport are touring in October and November as a quartet, and Dave Mattacks will join us for our Winter Tour – which is nearer spring next year as Tristan Bryant our wonderful agent, tour manager and out front sound man is doing the Harmony clipper ship tour with Richard Thompson. Tickets for the Autumn Tour are selling really well so get in quick if you want to catch us.

We don’t have any recording plans at this time. We are always on the lookout for material and I know Chris Leslie will be working on songs. We love his writing. Personally, I would love us to do a vinyl album. It’s an art form in itself programming wise .

ATB: We sense a groundswell of opinion that Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 was one of the best ever – which suggests that size isn’t that important.  Are the days of the mega Alice Cooper/ Brian Wilson festivals over now, or do you still aspire to grow the festival back to that size?

DP: Personally, the size of this year’s event was special. I felt that all the people on the field and on the stage were there for the right reasons. Cropredy was created as a festival so that Fairport past and present could get back together with some other bands and musicians that we admired to have a nice coupla days in the countryside with likeminded friends as the audience and a drop or two of good ale! It worked way back then and I think we have revived that feeling again .

We can’t fund huge headliners who sometimes don’t appeal to our regulars . The joy of hearing God Only Knows, School’s Out and C’est Chic on that field may be over but I hope to be hearing a many thousand voice choir singing Meet on the Ledge for a few more years – and I have a Richard Digance hanky to dry my tears.!

Filmed at Birmingham Town Hall, rather than in our favourite Oxfordshire field – Fairport Convention perform Red & Gold, a Cropredy anthem, below:

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