* The start of Oxford Folk Weekend, tomorrow, marks the official start of Oxfordshire’s festival season. Two of the county’s big summer events have also been busy putting the finishing touches to their schedules. Jamie Oliver and Alex James’s Big Feastival welcomes grime star Dizzee Rascal to the rolling acres of Alex’s farm in Kingham. He will be joined by Example and DJ Wire, on the Saturday night, making for what we predict will be quite a party.

Also joining previously announced acts Paloma Faith, Groove Armada, Ella Eyre and Grandmaster Flash, from August 28-30 are Roots Manuva and Faithless star Maxi Jazz.

The Udder Stage will present such up-and-coming names as Nadine Shah, Jake Isaac, Booka Brass Band, Rive, Grace Savage and Pocket Club. The stage will also host Folk Idol, giving festival-goers a chance to perform covers of their folk tunes, and a show by City Shanty Band who, as their name suggests, have a huge repertoire of traditional sea shanties— handy for the landlocked Cotswolds.

There will also be a Silent Disco and, for those who like to exercise their vocal chords, morning singing workshops run by The Roundhouse. Particip-ants also get a taste of glory by performing on stage as part of The Big Feastival Choir.

Tickets from thebigfeastival.com or by calling 08444 539047.

* Also announcing a tranche of new signings is Cornbury, which today reveals the line-up for its locally-flavoured Riverside Stage, with headliners The Jacques on Friday; blues band King B on Saturday and The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band on the Sunday.

Other acts well worth checking out include Faringdon’s rising stars Brightworks and Oxford’s Dance À La Plage on Friday; Sam Taylor and Alphabet Backwards on Saturday; and Les Clochards, Toliesel, Brickwork Lizards, The Standard and Robin and Joe Bennett’s Dreaming Spires on Sunday.

The eagle-eyed may also spot a familiar face on the Saturday: foodie Loyd Grossman who stars with his band The New Forbidden.

Highlights elsewhere include Sir Tom Jones, Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson, Billy Ocean, Motown queen Martha Reeves and Chas & Dave. Cornbury Music Festival runs from July 10-12.

Information and tickets at cornburymusicfestival.com or on 0844 338 0000.