Dave,

I really enjoyed the festival. There is room for improvement, but I would have no hesitation of coming to future events. The problems I encountered have been mostly been mentioned before;

1. Only one entrance/exit which meant a further than necessary walk from the park gate and all the overcrowding.

2. Gates opening too late meaning everyone trying to get in one gate at the same time.

3. Confusion over what could be brought in and what couldn't. The policy on chairs that you posted here meant I didn't bring mine, yet I saw many people with them.

4. The grandstand was a complete waste of time, effort and money.

5. Cross bleed of music between stages, particularly between the Prog and Metal Hammer.

6. Would have preferrred to pay for draught lagers and beers rather than the cans from the bar.

7. My free t-shirt that shrunk dramatically in the wash


GOOD THINGS;


1. Mix of music. A lot of great bands catering for all tastes.

2. The Mjr Tom beer sellers.

3. Food choice and reasonable pricing.

Well although I enjoyed the festival enourmeously, I'll point out the couple of show stoppers.

The big big show stopper for me, is the metal stage and prog rock stage clash. When I saw them on the map I already thought huh hoh ! Then on entering the site I thought huh hoh ! And then when I heard the clashes I thought huh hoh shit! I think it spoilt the enjoyment of viewers as well as the bands themselves, I felt sorry forthe bands, I would say they won't want to play under these circumstances again, either rent for of the park or do away with a stage !!!!. Even at the front, or on the left handside, that didn't help. The worst hit was Wishbone Ash, and that definitely has to be sorted, I was not happy about that. Thank god my main acts were in fact on the main stage.

I was appalled to learn that the staff were not allowed to accept tips. I was keen particularly on tipping the people walking around serving drinks. Well one accepted it anyway but some honest sould said they were not allowed.

@Andy R are you sure about the only one entrance exit ? Because we seemed to have got out somehwere completely different, ok we were pished but we ended up somewhere completely different, I swear.

I was glad to have had the basic VIP passes just for the delux toilets, as the other ones soon ran out of paper and they got dirty pretty quickly

Also I couldn't believe all the fuss about everything before hand, the camping chair stories, the water and stuff. People could clearly bring camping chairs and I don't think they made people give up their soft drink somehow, all those warnings were complete bollocks !!!!

Well that's it for my rant, I was happy with everything else

Tipping! Sounds a bit continental to me. We expect staff to be properly paid rather than subsist on tips. Also, we tend to be tight bastards.

I thought the whole weekend was great for the first attempt.
Yes they should have opened the gates at about 11 am on sat,and if people in wheelchairs want to go to festivals like this then good on them, there should be better provisions for them better access for sure. Im able bodied and i struggled with all the walking esp in the heat so a bit of consideration for them.
I loved the metal stage a bit louder next time oh and by the way im no teenager
Im 45 this year but love to rock out like a teenager.
Black Label Society was fantastic and thats why I booked this festival anyway.
The food was ok well it was edible and cooked, the prices where about average for a festival, wont comment on the booze as I dont drink but the small bottles of water for £2 was a bit much.You can never please everyone and Im sure everyone has a gripe or two but overall not a bad effort.

Well with a username like yours I can very well imagine mwahhh mwahhh mwahhhhh

Its pompeykeith. Thanks for the recognition.

pompey x

Damn, this topic scared the shit outta me cuz I couldn't remember it. Then I remembered I spell my user name slightly differently

Glad the Wetherspoons seems to have filled you up!

On the Saturday we got slightly lost then realised we could see houses etc so headed that way and came out through the Royal Gate, which was much nearer and had a very conveniently open pub so we could sit down. We came in Sunday through the Royal Gate and you could see the festival entrance from it but on Sunday night security told us the Royal Gate was closed so we followed everyone else, a much longer walk and with Apoganza's back really starting to hurt it was slow going- we may have been the last to leave!

Weren't too amused when we finally reached the gate and looked over to where the Royal Gate is and saw traffic going out of it so it was open after all!

Ohh yeah, eat as much as possible at 10am & then I don't have to eat until 10pm Plus you can have beer with your breakfast in Wetherspoons