Beloved attraction cancels attending Oxfordshire festival

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention kicked off on Thursday, August 13 in the town of Cropredy near Banbury in the latest instalment of the family-friendly festival hosted by the folk rock band.

One of the beloved attractions which attends the music event every year is Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses, named Brigadier, Balmoral and Cromwell.

The Hook Norton Brewery often sends its small cavalry out to events across Oxfordshire for delighted attendees to enjoy.

Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses (file photo) (Image: Hook Norton Brewery)

But this year, the shire horses won’t be attending Fairport’s Cropredy Convention due to the extreme heatwave.

An announcement made the day before their scheduled appearance, on Friday, August 14, said: “Unfortunately we’ve made the sad decision to cancel our attendance at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention music festival this weekend due to the rising temperatures.

“Undoubtedly one of our diary highlights but sadly this year the boys will enjoy a quieter, cooler day at home.”

In their own statement, a spokesperson for the festival said: “Sorry to announce that the Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses won’t be able to attend the festival tomorrow.

“The sensible decision has been taken that it is simply too hot. Next year!”

The news was well received by the festival attendees, who said it was ‘right and correct’ for the brewery to take good care of their animals during the hot temperatures.

The weather in Cropredy is set to reach 25C on Saturday, August 15, after several days of sweltering temperatures above 30C, in the fifth heatwave to hit Oxfordshire this summer.