Once anarchic, raggle-taggle gatherings fuelled by free-spirited fun, creativity and escapism, they have been widely replaced by bland, branded, commercial exercises in consumerism driven not by self-expression but by profit.

So let’s raise a toast to the first real outdoor gathering of the year – the fun, friendly and family-focussed Wood festival.

Springing up in a clearing among the Chiltern woodlands at Braziers Park in Ipsden, near Wallingford, Wood festival is a pioneering event combining high quality live music, active participation and a celebration of the start of summer.

The get-together, which runs this weekend until Sunday has a strong ecological ethos, generating its own green power and offering guests a rural respite from the pressures of urban life.

The Dreaming Spires (Image: Tim Hughes)

Set up by musician brothers Robin and Joe Bennett as an environmentally-friendly offshoot of the larger Truck Festival which they founded in their former home village of Steventon, it is intentionally small – strictly limiting its numbers to avoid overcrowding the scenic site. And, this year Wood marks a major milestone.

“This weekend we are turning 18-years-old,” says a delighted Robin.

“Lots of people have grown up with the festival and some of the adults here first came along as children.”

Robin, who is also a Green councillor on South Oxfordshire District Council, is proud of the festival he and Joe created. And while it routinely sells out, he refuses to expand at risk of losing its ethos and magic – despite the challenge of ever-rising costs.

“We call Wood a festival of music and nature,” he says.

“The main difference between us and other festivals is that we are family-run, family-orientated and intimate in scale – but there is so much to do.”

Wood festival, Braziers Park, Ipsden, May 2025. Picture by Tim Hughes

While Wood is intimate and laid-back it is artistically impressive, packing a powerful punch. The energy builds throughout each day ensuring dancing revellers stay warm well into the fresh spring evenings.

The musical line-up is strong, attracting a wealth of acclaimed international, national and local bands and artists, with rock, folk, country, jazz, blues and international sounds – and so much more.

Action takes place on a wooden stage with a living roof of grasses and wild flowers, and in a marquee shared with a bar so impressively stocked and charismatically staffed that it ought to be the envy of the festival industry.

The Dreaming Spires on stage at a previous Wood festival. Picture by Tim Hughes

Musical highlights included Friday’s headline set by singer and percussionist Falle Nioke – who fuses West African rhythms with experimental electronic music. The singer and percussionist has collaborated with the likes of Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and Barry Can’t Swim.

Saturday’s bill is topped by powerful folk and Americana-fuelled rock act Morganway, fronted by epic singer SJ Mortimer.

Sunday is closed by foot-stomping, fiddle-led bluegrass and folk roots powerhouse Noble Jacks.

But Wood is not just about its headliners.

A consistently excellent line-up of acts play the weekend including John Bramwell of the band I am Kloot; Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids; UK-Mozambique duo Kate Griffin and Matchume Zango; Jamaican jazz funk quarter Ranglin’; indie-folk singer-songwriter Ella Spencer; and local singer-songwriting genius Emma Hunter.

Nick Cope is a Wood superstar. Picture by Tim Hughes

More county talent comes in the shape of Band of Hope, Oxford Ukuleles – and others including ska, funk, reggae, Balkan and blues act Papa Nui.

The line-up also features eagerly-awaited shows by re-formed bands The Samurai Seven and Unbelievable Truth.

And it would not be Wood festival without a brace of sets by indie-rocker turned kids’ favourite and CBeebies star Nick Cope.

Raising the temperature at night, meanwhile, are Oxford’s much-loved reggae and ska party starter Count Skylarkin and, on Saturday, grassroots DJ collective One Foot In The Rave.

To the delight of Wood regulars, the hosts themselves will also be playing with their band The Dreaming Spires – the outrageously talented Robin and Joe joined by their virtuosic bandmates for what promises to be a rousing, soul-stirring and heart-warming Sunday night set of country-rock and Americana.

The band have just launched acclaimed new album Normal Town, inspired by the charms of nearby Didcot. It is essential listening.

The musical talent is accompanied by a vibrant programme of activities – with craft and performing arts workshops; health, healing and wellbeing sessions; nature focused talks and activities; and loads of kids’ fun.

There are also opportunities to explore the rich setting of Braziers Park with nature walks and forest bathing sessions by day and astronomy by night. Bird lovers can even join a Conversations with Owls session with zoologist Sasha Norris.

“I always try to take part in one of the activities but rarely do,” says Robin.

An endearing festival tradition is the adoption of an animal theme for each event. Previous years have celebrated all manner of wildlife icons from badgers and bats to otters and dragonflies. This year it is the turn of one of our more secretive animals – the lizard.

Dressing up is always welcomed. And the more patient may even spot one on site.

The idyllic setting is a nature haven and Wood treads gently on the land. Waste is kept to a minimum; revellers are encouraged to cycle, car-share or catch a bus; and energy comes from solar power and recycled cooking oil. Don’t be surprised to also find a pedal-powered sound system.

As well as sticking to its sustainable and environmentally kind roots, Wood has retained its sense of community. The main stage is only a few feet above the ground, and was built by local carpenter Rory Bernays.

“We started this as we were trying to start a more sustainable festival after Truck festival was flooded in 2007,” says Robin.

“It has now grown its own identity with regular features and its own sound. People love it and come back year-after year… and some have even grown up with it.”

• Wood runs at Braziers Park, Ipsden, near Wallingford, this weekend, until Sunday. See woodhq.org
• Tickets for next year’s event go on sale soon

Martyn Sadler was one of three people killed in a tragic incident at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire on May 15 last year. Two other firefighters were injured.

Mr Sadler began his career with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service before serving in Royal Berkshire, and was stationed full-time with the London Fire Brigade.

In his memory, his family has organised a charity event, A Night for Martyn, to support the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps members of the UK fire and rescue service and their families.

Martyn’s brother wrote on a JustGiving page: “Martyn lost his life doing the job he was passionate about and proud to serve.

“He dedicated his career not only to Oxfordshire, but also to Royal Berkshire before moving on to London Fire Brigade – where he was stationed full time.

He said: “28.08.2026 would’ve been Martyn’s 40th birthday and I feel its only right that we mark the occasion by celebrating his life and achievements, while raising funds for a charity that was always close to his heart.”

The black-tie event will host around 200 guests and feature a raffle, auction and generous support from local businesses.

The page also offers a way for those unable to attend to contribute in Mr Sadler’s honour.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/page/anightformartynsadler.

The long-running ITV talent show returned for a 19th series in February, once again welcoming a wide array of performers.

Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI all returned for another season, along with hosts Ant and Dec.

This year’s auditions once again unearthed some of the UK’s top talent, with a host of acts selected to continue through to the semi-finals.

After the first three semi-finals, six acts have made it through to the final so far, but who will be joining them?

Who are the 8 acts performing on Britain’s Got Talent tonight?

The eight acts performing in tonight’s fourth live BGT semi-final are:

• Epic Sax Guy – musician
• Glantaf Boys Choir – a choir group from Wales
• Kristel Herrera – singer
• Rafferty Coope – magician and KSI’s golden buzzer during the audition stages
• Ren DMC – singer
• Sonny Green – poet
• Wei Yamin – music/pyrotechnics act
• Welsch Master Team – gymnastics team

In each semi-final episode, there is one golden buzzer available, which can be pressed only by the chosen judge or guest judge that week.

The golden buzzer sends one act straight through to the final.

The only other way to make it through is to top the public vote at the end of the night.

When is Britain’s Got Talent on tonight?

Tonight’s semi-final will air at 6pm on ITV1 and ITVX, which is slightly earlier compared to the start time from the previous semi-final.

This is happening to avoid clashing with Eurovision, which begins airing at 8pm on BBC One.

Recommended reading:

What does the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2026 get?

There have been 18 winners of BGT since its first series in 2007, with magician Harry Moulding winning last year.

The winner of BGT will take home a prize of £250,000 and will also be given the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the royal family.

In the ITV show’s first three years, winners won a prize of £100,000, while the biggest winners were Ashleigh and Pudsey with a prize pot of £500,000 in 2012.

Which act are you hoping makes it through to the BGT final? Let us know in the comments.