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Post by Purpledawn on Sept 1, 2016 18:16:21 GMT
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!  The crew were photographed with glass beer bottles too and I bet they were eating meat from their catering facility. I have completed the questionnaire received from Shambala today and completed it with my observations/complaints. I won't be going again anyway, just heard that Shambala have made a licensing application for a site in Wimborne, Dorset, which I guess is dorsethelen & dorsetsteve country. Sticking with Womad in future and random smaller festivals as suggested by dorsethelen . |
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Post by deserttraveller on Sept 1, 2016 19:01:34 GMT
Wimborne is where I'm from so I'll be calling connections there ASAP.
PD what a disappointment. The sad fact is anyone can set themselves up an event organiser. The law used to be strong - unless you do XYZ you wont get a licence. Now the government is 'lifting the burden' on business regulated with the presumption that an event will go ahead unless there is a good reason why not. It has resulted in loads more festivals with inexperinced production teams who see it as a way of making £££. Im waiting for the first multiple fatality I hope its not one I'm involved workwise.
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Post by deserttraveller on Sept 1, 2016 21:23:43 GMT
Well done. yes application made 1 year in advance. at St. Giles Park
Wimborne St. Giles
Wimborne,
Dorset
Post town Wimborne Postcode BH21 5NA.
for 24 999 people and not a decent dual carriageway or railway station for miles. Not far from Larmer Tree and Great Dorset Steam Fair but different type of festival. same weekend as The Great Dorset about 5 miles away! A poor choice of weekend, shows a lack of local knowledge. The main access for the Steam fair is the same A road that would access the festival, it and the local authority will not be able to run both the same weekend. Basic logistics.
Annoying ignorance or arrogance- like those loos.
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Post by deserttraveller on Sept 1, 2016 21:40:47 GMT
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Post by deserttraveller on Sept 1, 2016 21:49:52 GMT
This one is mentioned in the list www.stogumberfestival.com/ we are off to it this weekend staying in a B&B right in the village sort of pay as you go. We want to see these two- Jacob & Drinkwater |
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Post by standing stone on Sept 2, 2016 10:24:38 GMT
Jacob & Drinkwater - lovely sound  |
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Post by Purpledawn on Sept 2, 2016 17:44:13 GMT
Well done. yes application made 1 year in advance. at St. Giles Park Wimborne St. Giles Wimborne, Dorset Post town Wimborne Postcode BH21 5NA. for 24 999 people and not a decent dual carriageway or railway station for miles. Not far from Larmer Tree and Great Dorset Steam Fair but different type of festival. same weekend as The Great Dorset about 5 miles away! A poor choice of weekend, shows a lack of local knowledge. The main access for the Steam fair is the same A road that would access the festival, it and the local authority will not be able to run both the same weekend. Basic logistics. Annoying ignorance or arrogance- like those loos. Yes, I had a look at the application, the applicant is Kambe events based at my old stomping ground The Custard Factory in Birmingham. I used to work for a local authority in licensing and often dealt with such applications but if there are objections the decision to licence them is made by via a hearing comprising of a panel of councillors not licensing officers as I'm sure you know. I agree, not much thought given to access to the site. If you live in the area you'd be able to object to the application - if you have a mind to. I don't wish to be mean and say that I hope they don't get permission but I do wish more organisers would concentrate on smaller festivals rather than trying to go even bigger. |
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Post by digitalmonkey on Sept 3, 2016 12:17:40 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. I decided to give Purbeck a miss this year having attended last. No real reason for my absence as loved it in 2015 but decided that Glastonbury and WOMAD was enough this year. Glasto was perhaps a one off so may make plans to return in 2017 assuming Purbeck is on.
A couple of people form our group who went last year went this year so looking forward to hearing the low down soon.
Think I have posted elsewhere but this is a terrific festival if you like things basic, smaller and have some interest in folk/acoustic music. Even better if you like walking with the Jurassic coast just on the doorstep so plenty of opportunities to explore. We were thinking of extending our stay to do some walking; maybe next year
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Post by jax2000 on Sept 3, 2016 13:16:22 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. I decided to give Purbeck a miss this year having attended last. No real reason for my absence as loved it in 2015 but decided that Glastonbury and WOMAD was enough this year. Glasto was perhaps a one off so may make plans to return in 2017 assuming Purbeck is on.
A couple of people form our group who went last year went this year so looking forward to hearing the low down soon.
Think I have posted elsewhere but this is a terrific festival if you like things basic, smaller and have some interest in folk/acoustic music. Even better if you like walking with the Jurassic coast just on the doorstep so plenty of opportunities to explore. We were thinking of extending our stay to do some walking; maybe next year
Ooh, we love Dorset so might give Purbeck a try next year as well as a pootle about in Betsy along the coast. |
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Post by hotdrummer on Jun 3, 2019 21:30:56 GMT
I dredged up this old thread whilst I had nothing better to do. I recently had a great weekend at Knockengorrich festival in Galloway, SW Scotland. Quite an alternative sort of fest with memorable moments around a log fire. Benj Zeph was there with his band and Moonlight Benjamin but highlight band for me was Tom McGuire and the Brassholes from Glasgow. Amazing drummer! This festival is dubbed ‘World Ceilidh’ , and indeed there must have been 500 dancers doing the Gay Gordons ! Lots of kilts too Del . Certainly a must do for festival connoisseurs. Anyway, a few weeks off until Dent(if it happens) and Hebcelt... all ferries booked. We just need sunshine. Re Dent, I found this link www.dentmusicandbeer.com/ |
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Post by calndel on Jun 5, 2019 21:32:34 GMT
Good luck with the ferries HD
We have heard a few stories about the running of Knockengorrich from people who have ran stall at the festival which puts us off
it is a shame as they do get some good bands
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Post by scott on Jun 14, 2019 20:51:03 GMT
Anyone doing Glastonbury? This crazy fool is, only two weeks before the mayhem begins.
I'm sure most sensible folk will give it a wide berth considering the size and music on offer. I will be mostly set up at at The West Holts stage, so if anyone is going see you at the brothers bar 😀
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Post by olirow on Jun 15, 2019 16:18:35 GMT
I've never been to Glastonbury, maybe one year, as I quite fancy it but the tickets have always sold out by the time I think of buying one!
Will probably go to the Sunday at Black Deer festival, mainly to see Billy Bragg, but also because it's local and trying to do something different, musically at least.
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Post by calndel on Jun 15, 2019 20:03:06 GMT
Anyone doing Glastonbury? This crazy fool is, only two weeks before the mayhem begins. I'm sure most sensible folk will give it a wide berth considering the size and music on offer. I will be mostly set up at at The West Holts stage, so if anyone is going see you at the brothers bar 😀 Cal went to Galstonbury a few time in the late 80/90s but she put off the bigger it got and the increase in of very pushy drug dealers thing will have changed but she has never thought about going back Del has never been felt the urge to go to Glastonbury Having said that we do hope you have fun and we are looking forward to hearing how you get on |
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Post by Zenrider on Jun 19, 2019 2:20:35 GMT
Anyone doing Glastonbury? This crazy fool is, only two weeks before the mayhem begins. I'm sure most sensible folk will give it a wide berth considering the size and music on offer. I will be mostly set up at at The West Holts stage, so if anyone is going see you at the brothers bar 😀 Cal went to Galstonbury a few time in the late 80/90s but she put off the bigger it got and the increase in of very pushy drug dealers thing will have changed but she has never thought about going back Del has never been felt the urge to go to Glastonbury Having said that we do hope you have fun and we are looking forward to hearing how you get on I was going to say, go when there is nothing going on. It's a quirky town. Though I suppose it could be different since the last time I was there, maybe summer of 1990. |
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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. 
