36 replies to this topic

[jengeo]

Last year the family field was so compact it was unbelievable! Been going since 97 and  since taking kids since 2004, we have used the family field. This year it was so compact you couldn't find any 'natural  pathway' out onto the main road. It seemed that this year so many groups of people without children were camped, where they could be camped at other 'quieter fields'. The family field is positioned above the kidz field which obviously makes it easier for parents and children, there are other fields where 'non familes' can camp. I noticed the stewards didn't direct anyone at all to any other sites. Also gone to the Big Chill, they have a family carpark and camping which is more organised. I know its 'free for all' but can't Glastonbury festival do something to keep the family field for people to camp only if they have a child under 12 (without writst band). It did affect our enjoyment of our festival, even though our neighbours were lovely  . On another note did anyone experience the inconvience of the lack of toilets and taps on top of the family field, also I felt I was intruding on someone else space!!

[shiff]

Family field is what it should be...for families (with children). The festival is a big place with sufficiently diverse areas to accommodate most needs. So why if you have not any children you want to camp in an environment that would be less suited to you and take away space from those who the environment is more suited too. Isn't Glastonbury about having a great time and showing respect to your fellow festival goer's?  Parents need the reassurance that their children can enjoy themselves in a more child engineered environment. It also needs to be above the Kidz Field so, obviously, children can access it with older siblings more able to go by themselves without having to trek across the site. If you have not got young children then there are other areas which are deemed more appropriate and if you want a less party atmosphere (at Glastonbury?) there are still areas that accommodate. And, again, if you have not got any young kids, so totally free to enjoy yourselves (especially at night!) in the greatest festival ever, why camp in the family field? Are they seriously missing the point? Would you find it annoying, and/or out of place, if families with young children camp right near the Dance Tent amongst a group of people who want to party all night? Lets share and respect each others needs!

[wweerr208]

I hardly saw any children in the area I was camped in, seemed to be full of people - if I had to stereotype - (relatively) slightly posh, and if i had to guess, they were looking for a "safe" environment.

so much for a family field!!

[cortezuk]

Always a tough one this! i agree that in recent years the field has come to become more and more populated by those seeking a safe and peaceful experience.  would like to see some challenge going in at the entrance to the field on occasion BUT it can't be too heavy - i and two other dads travel down alone on wednesday and are joined by the kids on friday so there does need to be some flexibility and trust.  But some polite challenge and suggestions to other sites would be welcome

[wweerr208]

cortezuk, on 02 November 2010 - 12:29 AM, said:

Always a tough one this! i agree that in recent years the field has come to become more and more populated by those seeking a safe and peaceful experience.  would like to see some challenge going in at the entrance to the field on occasion BUT it can't be too heavy - i and two other dads travel down alone on wednesday and are joined by the kids on friday so there does need to be some flexibility and trust.  But some polite challenge and suggestions to other sites would be welcome

the three of our neighbours i spoke to said they would have kids joining them - none appeared!

[cortezuk]

Well that wasn't me - as you can see from my photo!

[lolbeck]

I can't remember the name of the field you're on about, but I was working at Wicket Ground, which is also family camping, and we had LOADS of space. Found out on the Sunday that, for some reason, all the families were being told to go where you camped, rather than to come over to Wicket, which was one of the last fields to fill up.
It was very clean and the tents were well spaced out, so maybe consider that next year?

[Cooter]

Seems to be an uprising problem re family allocated spaces but no room for families. Up til now I've seen little or no resistance to anyone accessing these areas without kids. If GF are advertising these as family convenient areas they need to enforce it with volunteer stewards that care a little more. The same situation occurs in the campervan fields. Trouble is they don't advertise it much so what responsibility they have to police it is very little probably.

[jengeo]

Can't the posh childless families go to the Wicket Ground for a peaceful secure camping field.

[Ommadawn]

I think the main problem is that Cockmill Meadow is the first field you come to when entering via Gate B so people are tempted to just pitch up in case they can't find anywhere else. I can't remember it ever being strictly 'Family Only' so maybe it would better be classified as 'Quiet Camping'.

[captain futility]

Ommadawn, on 03 November 2010 - 10:04 PM, said:

I think the main problem is that Cockmill Meadow is the first field you come to when entering via Gate B so people are tempted to just pitch up in case they can't find anywhere else. I can't remember it ever being strictly 'Family Only' so maybe it would better be classified as 'Quiet Camping'.

i'm sure in previous years, definitely 2003, there was a much stricter policy in place.
if memory serves, we had special family field wristbands, and unaccompanied adults were challenged by the campsite stewards.

i don't know why this vigilance was allowed to lapse.

[mandypants]

I visited friends up in Cockmills (who were there with their kids) and I was shocked at just how congested the field was.  How parents were meant to get over the closely packed tents and guy ropes with pushchairs I'll never know.  I certainly think that there should be tighter control over who camps there, a family wristband, or perhaps an additional (free) ticket stating that you are camping with children.  That way, numbers can be monitored and pitch space allocated accordingly.

[grumpyhack]

Family camping should be just that - for families with kids with the added security that goes with it.  But Is there an argument for some 'quiet' camping fields that could be for those who want a good night's sleep and don't want the all night parties?

[washwell]

grumpyhack, on 04 November 2010 - 04:14 PM, said:

Family camping should be just that - for families with kids with the added security that goes with it.  But Is there an argument for some 'quiet' camping fields that could be for those who want a good night's sleep and don't want the all night parties?

I camped in Wicket Ground this year with the family - loads of space - it was luxurious. I arrived on Wednesday before the rest of the family and was challenged by the stewards on entering the field. I had to show pictures of my kids on my phone before they would let me in to camp - impressive, and certainly never happened to me in previous years in Cockmill Meadow.

[shiff]

grumpyhack, on 04 November 2010 - 04:14 PM, said:

Family camping should be just that - for families with kids with the added security that goes with it.  But Is there an argument for some 'quiet' camping fields that could be for those who want a good night's sleep and don't want the all night parties?

The Wicket Ground sounds more suitable for those festival goers who want a more 'quiet'  camping then taking up limited space in the main Family field for those who do need it more. How many people are there (who do not take any children) that want a quiet Glastonbury experience? Seems strange to me (like I said, Glastonbury has too much too offer to want a quiet one) but we all have our own needs and need to respect each other. If there was such a demand (does sound odd though) then GF would need to consider if it is possible to accommodate their needs (like they should have done for Family field!). Another consideration for those quiet campers (if they able too) is to consider the Camper van field (I do think the £75 ticket price is bit too unjustified but maybe their are costs to GF that we are not aware of etc)?

[grumpyhack]

shiff, on 04 November 2010 - 07:58 PM, said:

Another consideration for those quiet campers (if they able too) is to consider the Camper van field (I do think the £75 ticket price is bit too unjustified but maybe their are costs to GF that we are not aware of etc)?

Our gang of five were in CV East for the first time last year with a trailer tent after years of camping.  It was excellent and quiet.  We didn't begrudge the extra £75 as that is per plot not per person so was just an extra £15 each.  We also saved the cost of two car park tickets so it wasn't that much more expensive.

The big joy though wasn't the quiet but the fact that we didn't have to lug the tent and all our gear from the car park to our camping spot.  We also got there on Tuesday - even though we couldn't get onto the site proper till Wednesday.

I'd better shut up or everyone will be trying for CV tickets.

[Madyokel]

grumpyhack, on 04 November 2010 - 08:22 PM, said:

I'd better shut up or everyone will be trying for CV tickets.

Its not the cost of the campervan ticket that keeps us out of there.
Its the cost of the bloody campervan!!

[shiff]

In respect of the £75 ticket, points very well taken. I would like to be able to afford a campervan and try it at Glastonbury (it us a shame though that is outside the main festival, as it were).

[grumpyhack]

Again I don't want to fill the CV fields to the point where I can't get a CV ticket but....
I know campervan and motorhome rentals can shoot up in Glasto week but I'm off to see a man tomorrow about renting one of his classic motorhomes for £300 for Glasto week.  It's a 4 berth (2 double beds) which makes it a 2 berth for us because much as I like my Glasto gang I wouldn't want to share a bed with any of them.  But we can pitch three small tents alongside (or take the trailer tent as well).  That will give us full cooking, shower and toilet facilities which we can all share.
As for location; last year we were in East 23 which was a shorter walk down to Ped Gate C and the main site than we used to have when we camped at the top of Home Ground.
You do need to think about whether you want CV East or West, which really depends on what area of the festival site you are likely to end up in at the end of the night.  CV East is good for the Acoustic Stage and CV West for the John  Peel/Dance end.

[wweerr208]

<grits teeth at the memory of getting pram near the tent>

The CV field was too quiet for me tbh - if you want to camp in the (CV) CamperVan field cheaply then buying a trailer tent is the way to go

btw - I'm be selling one ;o)