60 replies to this topic

[skywalker]

Just want to say, I have just returned from Wickham Festival, first timer. What a brilliant chilled out festival, felt really safe bringing our little three year old who loved it.

Only downer was one of our party's tents was broken into and money stolen, we think by locals jumping over the fence. Someone returned from a 3am toilet run to find someone flashing a torch in the tent, he thought it was his lady friend. But as he approached a guy ran out and cheekily said 'alright' before running off.

It was quite scary really, but others also had money stolen from nearby tents in the middle of that night.

I would still return next year tho ;o)

[Dave_Aber]

Just back from a trip round Europe in the campervan which started off with a visit to Wickham festival. Arrived on the Saturday evening to be told that there was no room left at the campsite, and to camp in the car park. A minor disappointment as it turned out. Apart from that it was a thoroughly enjoyable festival. Compared to Download and T in the Park which I was at earlier in the year it's a real breath of fresh air. A mate of mine I've not seen for years turned up on the Sunday for a blether - entrance to the outside bitty for a tenner. Couple of beers in the sun listening to the music. Fantastic. Not many (any?) other festivals in the UK where you can do that.

I was concerned when I woke up on the Sunday morning as I could hear someone rustling our bin bag which I'd tied onto the wing mirror of the van. I stuck my head out to be greeted by a cheery face announcing "Morning, there's a new bin bag for you!", as he wandered off with my rubbish from the night before. Comparing this to T in the park I was shocked to say the least.

I will be back again, even though it's a 1200 mile round trip.

[Medina]

Only just noticed the really positive comments above from Dave Aber.  Many thanks for that.  Glad you enjoyed your visit to Wickham Dave.

Thanks also to Skywalker for the positive comments above Dave's.  Sorry we had a few thefts from tents in 2010.  First crimes of any kind we've had in years.  Sadly just about every festival in the land has suffered thefts from tents and we were no different last summer.  We've already put measures in place including more night-vision CCTV to help prevent any repeat in 2011.

Final thanks to efestivals for a great review of Wickham 2010.  Unashamed plug for Wickham 2011.  Earlybird tickets now on sale - save £30 per 4-day season ticket to the end of December.  Artists confirmed so far include Bellowhead, The Peatbog Faeries, Kate Rusby, The Men They Couldn't Hang and Roy Bailey & Tony Benn.  See the website www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

End of commercial.  Happy Christmas!

Edited by Medina, 21 December 2010 - 09:35 PM.

[timespeedsup]

Good punter reviews there, and an interesting line-up announcement means there's one of my eyes now on this one for our family fest in 2011. Which end of Hampshire are you?

[Aragorn]

Wickham is only about 5 miles north of Portsmouth on the South Coast TimeSpeedUp  

[Medina]

10 miles from Portsmouth to be precise.  2 miles north of Fareham and easily reached via the M3 or A3 then M27 (junction 11) or the scenic route south from Alton and Farnham along the A32 Meon Valley.  Nearest railway station is Fareham.

And if you decide to attend Timespeedsup we'll be delighted to see you!  We're well sign-posted - our good friend from these messageboards, Marooned, lovingly produced many of our Festival signs!

[marooned]

Medina, on 23 December 2010 - 03:30 PM, said:

10 miles from Portsmouth to be precise.  2 miles north of Fareham and easily reached via the M3 or A3 then M27 (junction 11) or the scenic route south from Alton and Farnham along the A32 Meon Valley.  Nearest railway station is Fareham.

And if you decide to attend Timespeedsup we'll be delighted to see you!  We're well sign-posted - our good friend from these messageboards, Marooned, lovingly produced many of our Festival signs!

Awwww shucks, it were nothin'

Will be attending, at least for a day Peter, as you've booked the wondrous Mrs.Rusby.......

[timespeedsup]

If Marooned's that involved, it'll feel like a shot of Wychwood all over again. Chance of persuading Den or Mr Blue???  

As for location, can go invade my sis's place in Portsmouth if if pelts down.

But then it's never rained at Wychham fest has it??  

[greenfairy43]

.

Edited by greenfairy43, 27 December 2010 - 08:06 AM.

[greenfairy43]

timespeedsup, on 23 December 2010 - 09:42 PM, said:

If Marooned's that involved, it'll feel like a shot of Wychwood all over again. Chance of persuading Den or Mr Blue???  

As for location, can go invade my sis's place in Portsmouth if if pelts down.

But then it's never rained at Wychham fest has it??  

If I hadn't moved you could have walked to my place in about 15 mins.
Or the the yard we kept our pony in about 5!

Is it still held on a stubble field though?

[Medina]

greenfairy43, on 27 December 2010 - 08:05 AM, said:

If I hadn't moved you could have walked to my place in about 15 mins.
Or the the yard we kept our pony in about 5!

Is it still held on a stubble field though?

Site greatly improved since your horses lived almost next door Greenfairy - we have "golden barley-stubble turf" now according to the efestivals review of Wickham 2010 here:

Wickham2010 efestivals review

For timespeedsup we also have a 3,000 capacity circus-style 'Big Top' to keep you dry if it rains, plus the 'Groovy Movie' solar-powered cinema tent so enjoyed at the Wychwood Festival a few years back (music and vibe is similar to Wychwood as well) so hopefully you won't need to invade your sis's place in Portsmouth... you can invite her to meet you in Wickham instead.

Edited by Medina, 28 December 2010 - 08:07 PM.

[timespeedsup]

Medina, on 28 December 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:

...... so hopefully you won't need to invade your sis's place in Portsmouth... you can invite her to meet you in Wickham instead.

Good point. Remind me then, day tickets available & if so how much? Her family does camping but never done fests. A day at Wickham could help them along the slippery road nicely.  

[Medina]

Timespeedup:  "Good point. Remind me then, day tickets available & if so how much? Her family does camping but never done fests. A day at Wickham could help them along the slippery road nicely. "

As this is the season of goodwill and all that, if you buy your own tickets by post from the Festival Office I'll throw in weekend tickets for your sis and her family for free (generous creature that I am! )  They can then come and go from Portsmouth as they please.

Just PM me or include a note with your own tickets order reminding me of this.  The 'Tickets' page of our website http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk has the Festival Office address - although it says 'earlybird' ticket prices increase from 1st Jan. we'll honour postal bookings received in the Festival Office up to next Friday, 7th Jan.

Edited by Medina, 31 December 2010 - 10:15 AM.

[timespeedsup]

Medina, on 31 December 2010 - 10:11 AM, said:

....tickets....

That's unfeasably generous of you Medina, thank you. & as it costs an extra 25% if not booked pronto, may just have to make the plunge. May yet not though, but there's more and more in favour of going now. Current biggest problem is convincing the family (Mrs TSU, natch) that they'll enjoy a weekend of the finer end of current English Folk and that someone equivalent to Kid Creole a la 2010 will also play. If you can just assure me you've got a bit more than just the finer end of current English Folk planned for....

[Mad Manx]

timespeedsup, on 31 December 2010 - 06:08 PM, said:

That's unfeasably generous of you Medina, thank you. & as it costs an extra 25% if not booked pronto, may just have to make the plunge. May yet not though, but there's more and more in favour of going now. Current biggest problem is convincing the family (Mrs TSU, natch) that they'll enjoy a weekend of the finer end of current English Folk and that someone equivalent to Kid Creole a la 2010 will also play. If you can just assure me you've got a bit more than just the finer end of current English Folk planned for....

with a deal like that! its a steal  
Just do it !! its the best and friendliest  music festival in the UK  

[Paul ™]

Medina, nice offer.. top guy

[Medina]

Thanks Paul and Mad Manx for the kind comments.  Very good of you to say so.

Timespeedsup - Offer for 2011 (inc. earlybird price for seasons) still open to you should you decide to join us.  Just include a note please with your booking form to ensure it reaches me o.k.

We'll be announcing more confirmed artists in the next week or so.  Not just folk.  We're pretty eclectic in our tastes having booked everything from Tuvan throat singers to a 21-man acappella choir from Australia in gumboots over recent years.

[mr blue]

I'm going to be there again this year. Line up so far looks great and we're back on four wheels so 'golden barley stubble' holds no fears.

Now, when shall we start the countdown?

[mr blue]

More acts have been posted for Wickham 2011 and it looks better and better. Really looking forward to Richard Thompson. Saw him a couple of weeks ago with his band but solo he's just brilliant. Added to Bellowhead, Kate Rusby and The Men They Couldn't Hang, I wouldn't be anywhere else.

[greenfairy43]

Oh man, I lived just round the corner, but never made it. Now live at t'other end of the country & pining for being in that spot!

Have a good one!