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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 7, 2016 10:06:52 GMT
My daughter and her partner love End of the Road - so relaxed, friendly and a great range of non mainstream music and comedy.
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Post by beanstew on Aug 7, 2016 10:18:28 GMT
The comedy at EotR is great! Last year at Robin Ince's late night slot this happened:
Charlotte! 😍
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Post by Purpledawn on Aug 8, 2016 16:46:45 GMT
Some friends of mine went to Blue Dot this year and said it was amazing. My friend Joy could see Jodrell Bank Lovell telescope from her tent as if it was just over the road....and it was!
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Post by Purpledawn on Aug 8, 2016 16:50:15 GMT
I have no doubt that we will enjoy ourselves PD.  Getting really geared up for this now. Just bought a false moustache to go with my top hat and frock coat, awaiting delivery of the vampire fangs and sorting the facepaint. I also notice that they're doing a 'Thriller' flashmob. Probably more fun to watch than take part in it all though.  |
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Post by sindigo on Aug 9, 2016 9:49:25 GMT
Our recent Camp Bestival experience was wonderful but I don't think I would recommend it to anyone without children--there really wasn't much on for the grown-ups. However, it was brilliantly organised with lots to do and see, some great little tucked away areas and a great local vibe.
We're away at a retreat, though just down the road in Owermoigne the weekend of Purbeck this year DH but it's on our list to join you one of these days. It sounds like a great fest.
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Post by nigenet on Aug 9, 2016 14:45:31 GMT
Some friends of mine went to Blue Dot this year and said it was amazing. My friend Joy could see Jodrell Bank Lovell telescope from her tent as if it was just over the road....and it was! I usually get a good view of the telescope on the first leg of my journey to Womad, as the bus from Sunny Buxton gets over the top of the hill on the way to Macclesfield |
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Post by deserttraveller on Aug 9, 2016 21:09:49 GMT
I usually get a good view of the telescope on the first leg of my journey to Womad, as the bus from Sunny Buxton gets over the top of the hill on the way to Macclesfield Do you work at HSL Nigenet? |
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Post by nigenet on Aug 9, 2016 23:22:30 GMT
I don't DT, but I did spend a year working there about 14 years ago |
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Post by deserttraveller on Aug 11, 2016 20:56:18 GMT
I don't DT, but I did spend a year working there about 14 years ago I was up there for a week- amazing place and I use their expertise sometimes. sindigo: I think I know a family away in the same retreat about the same time, if you meet Andy and Nikki with their 2 girls from Merley. say HI; They wont have a clue who DT is of course.! |
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Post by sindigo on Aug 12, 2016 7:48:08 GMT
DT - I don't know anyone who's going actually. It's run by a couple who my wife knows. Mainly for the kids I think. I shall keep an eye out though. |
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Post by deserttraveller on Aug 15, 2016 20:44:21 GMT
PD I want to know all about Shambala, that and secret garden party are unknowns to me.
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Post by bloohair on Aug 21, 2016 16:33:50 GMT
Other Festivals
WOMAD is my big one, it's a 4 hour journey to get to, but well worth it in the end. Other festivals I like to go to are nearer to home:- Latitude, Jimmys Harvest and Maverick. Just for the day so no affect on holiday time off work.
I've been to V a few times back in the day, and would like to get to Folk East one day, friends are there this weekend, so maybe next year. Shambala is closer than WOMAD - so a possibility one day, I await your reports.
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Post by Purpledawn on Aug 30, 2016 18:39:37 GMT
We are going to Shambala for the first time this year. I'll report back after the August Bank holiday weekend! Sorry to report that Shambala didn't meet standards set by last year. Apart from experiencing considerable pain caused by arthritic knees, the following spoiled the event for me: 1. Compost toilets Fine if they are nearer ground level but these were on stilts with a steep step and no handrails. Half the doors didn't lock, there was a large gap at the bottom of the door so you were very visible to all when using them, the loo roll frequently ran out and so did the handwash....and they smelt. I was very disappointed to discover these on the first day. I have used them before when I was young and fit but it was very difficult to get in and out without having a handrail and steady steps. The result was that I had to trek across site to the disabled camping area to beg a radar key so that my friend with a congenital back problem and I could use the loo! I wouldn't mind but there was no mention on the website or with the scant ticket info that they'd changed from 'normal' portaloos to these. 2. Large crowds, drunks and drugs Yeah, I know it's a festival but large crowds of young, intoxicated people stumbling over, shouting and trying to sell what they claimed was MDMA to any passer by wasn't what I expected at Shambala. I was approached once or twice and jax2000 and Gary were too. I made it my business to know about drugs when I was young and curious and even more so when my kids were younger. I've been to clubs and free parties myself, met a lot of alternative types and those living off grid and mixed with some really enlightened folks but the brash, pushy way some of these folks were behaving really put me off this festival. FFS anyone buying what was on offer would surely be putting themselves at risk not knowing if their purchases were 'pure' or just any old crap mixed with goodness knows what.  I stopped going to Glastonbury because it had become manic and too big for it's boots, so I guess it will be the last time at Shambala. 3. Increased capacity I heard that despite Shambala organisers saying they weren't going to increase ticket numbers, but they have now allowed an extra 15,000. Seems to me those extra bodies comprised of the types described above. 4. Rip-off 'Jolly Green Sherpas' £20 to carry your bags? I would only have got half my stuff on their stingy little trolley. Womad Cart-to-Camp is a bargain compared to these rip-off merchants. 5. Health and safety fail Large piles of wood scattered around the floor near firepits meant that in the dark people were constantly tripping over. No sign of anyone clearing them up. In the end my friend (with the back problem), and myself moved a large pile after a couple of people fell and cut their knees. Needless to say, I won't be going again. On the other hand, apart from the above, my friend Jack had a brilliant time when he discovered the free communal sauna and shower, threw his inhibitions to the wind and gave it a go. Bless him, it was worth the stress to see his face. Me? No fear....but I did sneak a peek and copped an eyefull of a couple of very tasty chaps in the buff so all was not lost at Shambala.   |
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Post by jax2000 on Aug 30, 2016 21:07:55 GMT
We are going to Shambala for the first time this year. I'll report back after the August Bank holiday weekend! Sorry to report that Shambala didn't meet standards set by last year. Apart from experiencing considerable pain caused by arthritic knees, the following spoiled the event for me: 1. Compost toilets Fine if they are nearer ground level but these were on stilts with a steep step and no handrails. Half the doors didn't lock, there was a large gap at the bottom of the door so you were very visible to all when using them, the loo roll frequently ran out and so did the handwash....and they smelt. I was very disappointed to discover these on the first day. I have used them before when I was young and fit but it was very difficult to get in and out without having a handrail and steady steps. The result was that I had to trek across site to the disabled camping area to beg a radar key so that my friend with a congenital back problem and I could use the loo! I wouldn't mind but there was no mention on the website or with the scant ticket info that they'd changed from 'normal' portaloos to these. 2. Large crowds, drunks and drugs Yeah, I know it's a festival but large crowds of young, intoxicated people stumbling over, shouting and trying to sell what they claimed was MDMA to any passer by wasn't what I expected at Shambala. I was approached once or twice and jax2000 and Gary were too. I made it my business to know about drugs when I was young and curious and even more so when my kids were younger. I've been to clubs and free parties myself, met a lot of alternative types and those living off grid and mixed with some really enlightened folks but the brash, pushy way some of these folks were behaving really put me off this festival. FFS anyone buying what was on offer would surely be putting themselves at risk not knowing if their purchases were 'pure' or just any old crap mixed with goodness knows what. I stopped going to Glastonbury because it had become manic and too big for it's boots, so I guess it will be the last time at Shambala. 3. Increased capacity I heard that despite Shambala organisers saying they weren't going to increase ticket numbers, but they have now allowed an extra 15,000. Seems to me those extra bodies comprised of the types described above. 4. Rip-off 'Jolly Green Sherpas' £20 to carry your bags? I would only have got half my stuff on their stingy little trolley. Womad Cart-to-Camp is a bargain compared to these rip-off merchants. 5. Health and safety fail Large piles of wood scattered around the floor near firepits meant that in the dark people were constantly tripping over. No sign of anyone clearing them up. In the end my friend (with the back problem), and myself moved a large pile after a couple of people fell and cut their knees. Needless to say, I won't be going again. On the other hand, apart from the above, my friend Jack had a brilliant time when he discovered the free communal sauna and shower, threw his inhibitions to the wind and gave it a go. Bless him, it was worth the stress to see his face. Me? No fear....but I did sneak a peek and copped an eyefull of a couple of very tasty chaps in the buff so all was not lost at Shambala. I agree with everything you say PD. Hypocritically the crew and artists had chemical loos! The camper van field was just behind their area and we walked past them on our way to the arena.  I didn't see the tasty chaps in the buff though!  |
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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 30, 2016 22:18:02 GMT
As a contrast, Purbeck, capacity about 3000, was wonderful. No sign of drugs or real drunkeness, no trouble. Very relaxed, very friendly . Security had nothing do except wear silly hats and join in the fun. Food for £5 a portion not £10 as stall holders aren't charged the earth for a pitch. Sound could have been better at times and the loo rolls and hand sanitiser ran out occasionally but otherwise great. Extremely clean due to an army of litter pickers. Compost loos were fine and popular but they had proper ones too. A lot of the bands stay for the whole weekend if they can and just muck in with everyone and enjoy themselves. Its the same organisers and volunteers year in, year out so they know what works. It's especially good for kids and for amateur singers and musicians due to the number of free workshops and lessons available. Music highlights for me: Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, Nizlopi, Lucy Ward, Ranagri, Boo Hewerdine, Rory McCleod, Model Folk, Sheelanagig, Maz O'Connor , Ninebarrow, The Hotseats, Gilmore & Roberts and Katherine Roberts & Sean Lakeman. Disappointments were two of the headliners, Villagers and The Proclaimers. Jury out on John Bramwell (I am Kloot). Hilarious but far from sober! Recommended if you fancy a cheap, basic end-of- summer festival in a farmyard (no spa here!) . We love it.
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I stopped going to Glastonbury because it had become manic and too big for it's boots, so I guess it will be the last time at Shambala. 
