EASTNOR CASTLE FESTIVAL 2003
June 9th, 2003 by susanna
We hope that most of your questions regarding this year’s Eastnor Deer Park Festival are answered below. If you still require advice please contact us at info@bigchill.net
YOU’RE SOLD OUT – I REALLY WANTED TO GO!
We’re obviously sympathetic to those who didn’t manage to get hold their tickets in time (but in our defence the tickets have been on sale since December 2002) – and hope to see you next year or at some of our smaller sip-off events instead. Plus there’s every chance you will find a ticket roaming free on ‘Ticket Exchange’ forum pages if you check it daily (link below).
I CAN’T GO – WHAT SHALL I DO?
Again, we advise you to find a willing buyer via our ‘Ticket Exchange’ forum pages.
But please be aware that we do not and cannot support or endorse the sale of tickets above face value. For a start, it will encourage touts onto the site, something we are keen to avoid and we’re sure you are too! Please don’t scare yourselves/tempt yourselves with the prices quoted on eBay and similar, only genuine offers on the Ticket Exchange Forum will be tolerated.
I’VE HEARD A RUMOUR OF STOLEN TICKETS?
Yes, we’ve had an alert that a book of tickets were stolen from one of the Big Chill’s shop outlets. Tickets numbered 951 through to 1000 will be void if handed in at the Box Office – so please, if using the Ticket Exchange or risking other sources (not recommended), get them to quote the Ticket numbers first. And if you are unlucky enough to have received these tickets from a tout or similar, report it to info@bigchill.net as soon as possible.
I’VE BOUGHT A TICKET – BUT IT HASN’T ARRIVED YET!
If you’re worried about tickets you’ve bought not yet arriving, fear not – with thousands of tickets to mail out we can’t send them all at the same time, but yours is on its way.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
By Car
Full directions are on the rear of the tickets. The park is located between Malvern and Ledbury within easy reach of the M50 (west of the M5 north of Cheltenham), approximately one hour’s drive from Birmingham and Bristol, and around two and half hours from central London on a clear traffic day.
By Train
The station to use is Great Malvern. From London Paddington either direct to Great Malvern or with one or two changes takes around 2 and half hours. A Supersaver return from London costs #33.00. Booking in advance is recommended. For further information, call National Rail Enquiries on 0845 7484950 or go to www.nationalrailtrack.co.uk.
HOW DO I GET FROM THE STATION TO THE FESTIVAL SITE?
There will be a regular shuttle bus from Great Malvern station, leaving hourly. The shuttle will operate half day Thursday, all day Friday, returning Sunday evening and Monday morning. There will be a small charge to be confirmed at a later date.
The shuttle bus will not be operating until 15:00 the Thursday – so here are a couple of train times for Paddington to Ledbury that morning, where a cab ride to the site won’t be too extortionate:
London Paddington Ledbury Thu 31/07/03
9:48 12:31 2h 43m
London Paddington Ledbury Thu 31/07/03
11:06 13:45 2h 39m
Meantime, the schedule after that looks like:
From Great Malvern:
Thursday from 15.00. 30 min intervals till 23.00
Friday from 07.30 30 min intervals till 09.00 then every 15min till 21.30 then every 30min until 24.00
From Eastnor:
Sunday from 13.00 30min intervals till 23.30
Monday from 07.00 30min intervals till 15.00
We have been warned that there is planned work on part of this track on Monday morning and through the following week. A bus replacement service is provided for the part of the journey in question and you’re advised to calculate an extra hour to your journey. Please double check before you make your journey as this is subject to change.
The shuttle bus company are also providing transport to the Festival travelling up Thursday am returning Monday pm from the following towns: Wareham, Poole, Warminster Salisbury, Chippenham, Bath, Bristol Parkway.
These are £15 Return per seat and you need to phone 01929 423388 to book and to get pick up times and info
WHEN SHOULD I GET THERE?
Camping A Day Early
The Big Chill has for Eastnor 2003 extended the site access time to Thursday 31st of July with Hereford Council, Police and Highways Department. This will mean that you can now have four days of Chill instead of three (for the same price) if you should so desire!
Access will be from 10am on the Thursday (Artist/Press Box Office will not be open until 4pm) and although strictly NO entertainment will be offered that day, the 24 hour cafe and a bar will be open at the site. It will also give all ticket holders a chance to set up early in order to enjoy every minute of the festival as well as another full day’s relaxation in beautiful Eastnor for the same ticket fee.
Box Office Opening Times
The box office opens at 10.30am on Thursday and closes at midnight. It will then open again on Friday morning at 10.30am and close at 1am. Please do not turn up any earlier or later than these times, as you won’t be allowed on site. For those travelling long distances who may be looking for camping before or after the event, the nearest campsite is Rye Court Camping and Caravans, 01531 650237, which is located on the A348 just south of Hollybush (approximately 2 miles from Eastnor Castle). Call them to find out about availability.
IS THE SITE EASY TO GET AROUND?
The Eastnor site is far larger than any of The Big Chill’s previous sites. There is a lot of walking involved which we advise you to bear in mind. Lugging stuff across the hills and back again is not an amusing activity as previous Eastnor attendees will confirm – so pack light if possible as there’s a big hill between the car park and campsites – and make sure you know exactly what you want to take with you when you leave your tent and take enough to avoid having to go back and forth too many times.
WHAT IF I’M IN A WHEELCHAIR OR OTHERWISE DISABLED?
There are accessible toilets beside the First Aid points which are located between the event sites and in the camping field. The showers located within the camping area are accessible with support from a helper. Stewards will be available to help to get camping equipment and luggage onto the camping field, and are also available to help where needed at all other times.
I WANT TO CAMP BUT I HAVE A CARAVAN…
Live in vehicles and caravans are allowed on site at a surcharge of #25 – but you MUST book in advance. You will not be able to camp in general camping, but in an area specifically designated for live-in vehicles. Cars are not allowed in the live-in vehicle area, the car parks on site are free. There are no power points available on site for live-in vehicles.
WE ARE COMING AS A FAMILY, IS THERE AN AREA FOR US?
There will be an area for family camping that can be accessed via Gate C.
WE WANT PEACE AND QUIET AT NIGHT, IS THERE SOMEWHERE FOR US TO CAMP?
For a quieter festival access Gate G.
I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR, WHERE’S BEST FOR ME?
This is a general camping area that has disabled toilets and showers, access gate C. There are disabled toilets around the main arena but not in other camping areas
CAN I BRING MY PET?
No. No animals are allowed due to the wild deer, rabbits and birds in the grounds. It is also a requirement of the license.
IS IT OKAY TO HAVE A BARBECUE?
No fires on site please, or foil barbecues, although barbecues on legs are allowed. This is to protect you, the surroundings and the animals that live here. The site is normally a Deer Park and we have to consider their well being. We’re just here for the weekend – please don’t spoil it for them. It’s okay to bring food into the camping areas as long as it isn’t in glass bottles or containers.
IS IT OKAY TO BRING MY OWN SOUNDSYSTEM?
Nope. No amplified music and sound systems are allowed on the campsites, but bring your radio and tune into Big Chill FM for 24 hour music entertainment!
WHEN WILL I BE ENTERTAINED?
The main stages are open from 12 noon to 2am Friday and Saturday, with the Media Mix and comedy tents finishing at 5am and the Art Trail open till 2am.
The 24 hour cafe will be open 24 hours (surprise) with Big Chill FM being piped through for insomniacs.
The entertainment finishes at 12 midnight on Sunday. The Media Mix and comedy tent will go on till 3am. Everybody must be off site by Monday lunchtime.
NOTE: If we were to apply to go later, we’d be seen very much as a ‘dance event’ (which we are not) and subject to a whole different and more rigorous set of license conditions from the local authority. We would also find things much harder with the tolerant local community.
I WOULD LOVE A DRINK, WHERE CAN I GET ONE?
There will be three bars on site – one located near the Open Air stage, one located near the Sanctuary stage, and one located in the Club Tent, plus two Cocktail Bars. If you require ‘take-outs’ the bars have containers, but can only serve during licensing hours. Alcohol may not be brought into the main arena. It’s okay, however, in the camping areas, as long as it’s not in glass bottles.
I NEED A SHOWER!
The Big Chill has bent to popular demand and built the communal showers which we first used at our early festivals at the ‘Enchanted Garden.’ You can enjoy a lovely shower while looking up at the sky. Please use vegetable-based soap and shampoo to minimise environmental impact.
I FORGOT TO BRING BATTERIES AND I’M RUNNING OUT OF CASH, CAN YOU HELP?
There will be a shop selling groceries and newspapers, we will also have a great selection of food and merchandise stalls. Vegans and vegetarians will be amply catered for. The Big Chill shop is a good meeting place as well as an information point and lost property area; it will be located to the right of the main stage. There will also be a cash point machine.
IS THERE ANYTHING PROVIDED FOR THE KIDS?
The Children’s tent, with all manner of entertainments for your little bundles of joy, will be open between the hours of 4pm to 8pm on Friday, and 10am to 8pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
I CAN’T WAIT TO GET MYSELF A MASSAGE, WHERE DO I GO?
Body and Soul area
It’s recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment, there will be a reception in the Body and Soul area taking bookings from 10am on Friday.
WHAT DOES LEAVE NO TRACE MEAN?
The Big Chill has a ‘Leave No Trace’ policy. Please use the bins for recycling and rubbish provided in the entertainment area, and also the campsites. You will be given recycling bags on entry to site and they will be available throughout the weekend around the campsites.
CAN I SWIM IN THE LAKE?
Please don’t! The lakes are lovely but are not normally used for swimming. As such, the local Environmental Health has not passed them for that purpose.
I’M BRINGING MY DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA, OKAY IF I FILM?
There is no unauthorised recording or filming allowed in the festival grounds unless you have a specific pass. All recordings remain the copyright of The Big Chill unless otherwise authorised.
Finally – we hope all of you will enjoy your festival – see you there!
