On Saturday, 5th July, Oakley Vale celebrated yet another successful year of Oakley Fest, this time for a very special occasion – Corby’s 75th anniversary as a new town!
While Corby’s history as a village dates back centuries, its incredible growth into the vibrant new town we know and love today began in earnest in 1950. The 75th anniversary marks this significant milestone.
The day was filled with laughter, fun, and plenty of ice cream as families browsed a wide variety of stalls, activities, and performances, hosted by local independent businesses in Oakley Vale and Corby.
Each year, Oakley Fest brings together the blossoming community here in Oakley Vale, and this year saw another brilliant turnout with over 1,000 people joining to celebrate this diverse and vibrant community.
A brilliant day was had by all
The festival featured over 50 stallholders, offering everything from delicious sweets, handcrafted artwork, jewellery, intricate pyrography, and woodturning. Our community centre was bustling with people buying local, watching fantastic demonstrations, and enjoying the sunshine.
Veronika Toth was part of the ten people who helped organise the event. She said: “Each year this festival proves that Corby isn’t just a town, but a community rich in friendship, kindness and talent.
“From the handmade stalls to the outstanding performances, the festival acts as a reminder that the wonderful community we have here is what makes Corby so special.”
In Corby, we’re incredibly lucky to have such a variety of independent local businesses. Shopping local is a great way to encourage creativity in the town and support local families, all while helping to keep our high street so unique.
To discover the thriving independent businesses right on our doorsteps that you might have missed on your last shopping trip, click here
Top 5 Small Businesses in Corby to support
Dancers, DJs and CPR!
Among the independent crafting businesses, the community enjoyed musical entertainment from The Great Oakley and District U3A Ukulele group, The Oakley Rangers Youth Music Group, and a brilliant DJ.
Talented dancers from Mellisa’s Movers and Crazy Feet Dance also graced the stage, alongside performances from Chordless Corby Choir, a magician, and a balloon artist. They all provided brilliant family-friendly entertainment, thoroughly enjoyed by all ages.
A CPR group was also in attendance, sharing lifesaving information.
A range of attractions, traditional and new, were enjoyed by everyone. Children played on the large bouncy castle and gave archery a go, led by the Scouts. Laughter Yoga, badge making by Made in Many, and the dog show all proved to be excellent crowd pleasers.
On the day, everyone said they had a wonderful time and enjoyed all that was happening. People sat on the grass, picnicking and relishing the events as they unfolded. A brilliant time was had by all!
Veronika added: “Thank you to the local families, businesses, and volunteers who came and celebrated what turned out to be such a successful day.
“Thank you also to MP Lee Barron and the Mayor of Corby, Ray Bebey. It was a pleasure to see you both enjoying the day along with everyone else.”
75 Years of Corby: An exhibition through time
A series of photographs provided by Corby Town Council marked the 75th anniversary of Corby. This special event evoked memories and sparked heartfelt conversations between residents, both new to the area and those who have lived here their whole lives.
Speaking of Corby’s past, we recently shared a blog filled with historical photos. Click here to take a trip down memory lane and discover Corby through the years.
A picture journey through time in Corby
Our deepest gratitude goes to…
Peter Moden, the Oakley Vale Community Chairman, was delighted with the day and said: “Each year this festival brings people together to celebrate the spirit of our community. It’s a chance for neighbours to connect, local talent to shine, and for everyone to share the joy of something we’ve created together.”
“I am so proud of the incredible support and energy that has made this event possible.”
The festival took twelve months to plan and was a huge success, thanks to the devoted committee of ten and the support throughout the day by Corby Town Council.
Peter also thanked the talented Christine White, who once again hand-knit a number of beautiful toys for the event’s tombola.
An honourable shoutout goes to the 7th Corby Scout Group. The team kindly helped both in preparation for the big day and on the day itself, making sure everything went smoothly and that everyone had a wonderful time. The Scouts also kindly put on a delicious BBQ, which was enjoyed by all.
Peter added: “Seeing everyone come together with such enthusiasm reminds us why we host the festival each year. We’re already looking forward to the next one.”
