In the summertime, when the living is easy, everyone should try to get along to one or other (or more) of the many festivals that punctuate the calendar.

Because it's more or less on my doorstep, and less of a hassle than some I've been to, I tend to pop along to the Cornbury Festival. Okay, I know it's derided by critics as the middle-aged, middle-class Glastonbury (and with drinks by Waitrose and food by Jamie Oliver, they may have a point). But it does provide all the essentials of the festival experience (no mud this year, though) and presents some long-time favourites, emerging new talent, and some quirky acts you're pleased you caught. Plus, tucked away around the back near the big house, a stage for some local bands to get in on the act.

The main attraction for me was an evening with Jackson Browne. While waiting for him to appear, and sitting musing on the grass, it struck me that these events, when well-planned and run like this one is, actually have rather a lot in common with good examples of intergenerational projects.

Around me was a vibrant, diverse group of people aged from five to 75, all talking to each other, sharing their enthusiasms and learning from each other, even if they didn't always see eye to eye on the musical offerings.

Watching the Blockheads I worked out, rather dispiritingly, that the last time I saw them was 33 years ago. I shared this information with our extended group, some of whom were only about half this age to begin with. But they had thoroughly enjoyed the set, perhaps helped by the recent film about Ian Dury starring Andy Serkis - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.

I didn't get Reef and wasn't as clued up on the lyrics of The Feeling, or the technical acoustics of Newton Faulkner, as some of the younger members of the group. Yes, on balance, they had more to teach me than I them.

Andy Hopkinson is content manager at the National Youth Agency. He can be contacted on andyh@nya.org.uk.