Velvet, Vibrance and a Whole Lot of Heart

What do you get when you mix sunshine, music, sizzling street food and a park full of joy? The Leys Festival 2025, of course – and I was thrilled to be there, right in the heart of it.

Blackbird Leys Park came alive yesterday with the colour, rhythm and spirit of a community that knows how to celebrate. The festival – co-produced by residents of Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys alongside the University of Oxford’s Cultural Programme – was everything a festival should be: welcoming, creative, inclusive, and absolutely brimming with talent. From carnival mask-making and live mural painting to spoken word, dance battles and family games, the day radiated energy.

I was honoured to be invited to say a few words from the stage – not in a stiff, formal way (this was a festival, not a town hall meeting!) – but just to celebrate the moment and the people who made it possible. I introduced myself as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire – and explained that it is a very real role with a very fancy title and a fabulously velvet-clad wardrobe. No cowboy hat, no horse – just velvet breeches, a lot of enthusiasm, and a deep belief in the power of community.

And nowhere was that power more visible than in the stories being shared throughout the day. From Patrice and Denise’s beautiful hand-crafted blackbird suspended in the trees, to the mural proudly proclaiming “This is our BBL”, to the African food stall that spanned a continent’s worth of recipes – every part of the festival told a story of pride, heritage, creativity and resilience.

The Windrush tent, in particular, was a quiet moment of reflection – a tribute to the families who made the Leys their home and shaped its character. It reminded me that community is not just about proximity, but about shared memory, mutual care, and collective celebration.

My thanks go to Erica Whyman and the incredible group of residents who made this happen. “One People, One Place” was more than just a theme – it was a truth felt in every smile, every song, and every conversation.

To everyone I met (including a whole lot of friends I've made over the last few weeks who were also there) – thank you for the warm welcome, the delicious food, the dancing, the crafts, the laughs – and for reminding us all of what makes Oxfordshire truly special.

I hope the festival continues to grow and thrive in the years ahead. I, for one, will be back – even if next year it won't be in black velvet.