Oxfordshire church heralds ‘incredible sales’ at festival

Organised by the parish of Witney, the Witney Festival of Food and Drink was held on Saturday, May 16, from 10am to 4.30pm.

Nearly 70 stalls were on St Mary’s Church’s grounds and inside the medieval place of worship, offering a wide range of food and drink from local producers.

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Richard Young, licensed lay minister, said he was “delighted” by the event.

He said: “The weather was kind right through to mid-afternoon and there was a wonderful atmosphere across St Mary’s, the churchyard and Church Green from start to finish.

“The expanded programme in the Festival Arena proved especially popular and helped create a real sense of energy and community throughout the day.

The Witney Food and Drink Festival 2026 (Image: Ed NIx)

“Even a few late afternoon drops of rain could not spoil the occasion.”

This expanded programme included a festival bar serving craft ales from Little Ox and Tap Social, alongside cider from Old Stag, and coffees and cocktails from UE Coffee and the Wood Brothers Distilling bar respectively.

A children’s scavenger hunt was put on and live music included Sol Samba on the Church Green at 12.30pm.

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“One of the most encouraging things,” said Mr Young, “was hearing such positive feedback from our stallholders”.

Indeed, Jenny Allsopp from Sutton Courtenay Berry Biscuits said: “We had an incredible sales day. We beat all previous years since we’ve been coming.”

Mr Young added that he and his fellows at St Mary’s Church wanted to thank the volunteers, traders, performers, sponsors and visitors for making the event a reality.