Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and electric folk band, they formed in 1967 and were widely regarded as a key group in the English folk rock movement. Individually and collectively the members of the Group have received numerous awards recognizing their contribution to music and culture. In 1979 they hosted the Cropredy Festival and it was at this moment that this largest annual folk event in England was born.
One of Powerhire’s Employees has attended and been involved with the Festival for over 24 years and he assists and advises Fairport Convention with the necessary generator power, every year. The destination is Cropredy village, just north of Banbury in Oxon, which welcomes an invasion of up to 20,000 folk music-lovers. The event this year was held during the second weekend in August commencing on the Thursday afternoon of 13th, culminating at midnight on Saturday with all visitors departing on Sunday 15th.
From the previous years of involvement Powerhire were well aware of the Festival’s generator power requirements and made sure the necessary equipment was allocated for the event at this busy time of year. Generator power was required throughout the weekend for campsites, showering facilities, lighting, the main stage & arena, the first aid field hospital tent, merchandise stands and the usual food & beverage stalls across the site.
The 20,000 strong audience at this outdoor extravaganza included children [and even grandchildren] of festival-goers who have been coming back year after year, and with a strong contingent of younger newcomers the event had a uniquely ‘family-friendly’ atmosphere steeped in real tradition.
As well as Fairport Convention playing, the main stage & arena hosted many other great acts including Level 42, The Proclaimers, Toyah Willcox & the BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award Winners.
To ensure everything ran satisfactorily for Festival set up Powerhire confirmed that they would be happy to deliver the generators and fuel tanks at least a week prior to the start of the event. On 6th August, 28 generators ranging from 19kVA to 300kVA as well as 9 fuel tanks were loaded, delivered and set up at the festival site in Cropredy village. Our Powerhire contact returned, just before Festival lift off, and remained on site to make sure the generators ran smoothly for a successful Cropredy Convention …as he had done for the last 24 years!
For more information on the Cropredy Festival & Fairport Convention please visit their official website.
