overview

Endorse It in Dorset or EIID goes from strength to strength with the organisers working hard to ensure that we have as good a festival as possible and boy do we have a grand weekend. I would dearly like to hear from anyone who felt let down by what was on offer – it were right marvellous. It’s the first one on our list for 2008.

The festival returned to the beautiful green-grassed site overlooking Cranbourne Chase in Dorset, immediately there was instilled a happy vibe and a safe, family friendly old school festival type environment. Practically running around the clock, well you did have to go back to your tent or campervan (or wackily, boat!!!) for a couple of hours although this usually involved getting distracted by friendly festie goers along the way – and forgoing bed entirely.



The musical smorgasbord on offer was excellent this year and it was often a case of being spoilt for choice or watching half of one act and half of another, where possible it was clear the organisers had tried not to overlap. With two tented stages and an open-air stage, a kids area, walkabout theatre, comedy, flags, kites, eateries (open until the [s] small[/s] quite big hours), beer, stalls, tipis, loadsa (clean) loos, big family camping area, a campervan area which is almost a festival in it's own right, healing area, shaded areas (nice to get out of the sun), chill-out bit and a casino – there was something for everyone.

The organisers kept it to the same size as last year - 5,000 capacity - and offered us the best line-up yet. It was easy to catch public transport to the site too with a bus dropping off at the front gate and getting wristbands and stuff from the car to the campsite a doddle.

And what a great atmosphere and a lovely festival crowd, the dreads and mohicans count was high and many of the attendees, admittedly in their thirties, or over with kids are relishing the chance to relive festivals of old. But let’s not forget the youngsters, they bring ‘em up right in Dorset as they made me go, “Wow not all kids are those high street wallabies I see every day!” You could talk to them and everything.


The site is designed with safety in mind, the arena created in a donut so kids rarely get lost and can roam around and buy water pistols, ice creams and do loads of kids things, it was good to see kids who never met before happily making friends. And of course there were the woods - the ‘Battle of Endorse-It Forest’ raged on for days with kids building forts and having fun from dawn ‘til dusk.

Endorse it also boasted an old school ‘Hippy Zone’ healing area and a tipi area as well as a late night café and have I mentioned the loos were great (there were longer queues for the taps!) and what lovely festival staff. Where else do stage stewards wear wizard hats and dance about with permanent grins on their faces? I’m struggling to think of a friendlier festival. Even the (you’d be mad to mess with me) security were friendly and I only saw the occasional angry drunk pirate or people attempting to blag their way in being ‘dealt’ with.



This year there were thefts here. Boo! But only money, people were able to leave furniture out and even booze got left by the villains! The golden rule of sleeping with your cash and valuables in your sleeping bag had to be adhered to, especially as Endorse It has no cash points.

And of course there’s reasons enough to part with your cash. The cigarette papers inspired T-shirt merchandise (lager last year, rizlas this year - hmm what next year? Any guesses?) were bought in their droves. Plus more lovely Endorse It CDs, I’ve said before this is a great idea for re-living the festival (more festivals take note). And of course a cheap, useful if slightly derangedly written programme.

Best bits all weekend - Back To The Planet, Pronghorn, Magic Skool Bus, Lee Perry, Dreadzone, The Big, Highliners, Toretz, Bison, Fat Drunk Stupid and Subgiant. And I do love the wandering Hobo Jones still turning up to play random parts of the festival, despite having slots on the bill – hats off to them. There was no Ash Grunwald – shame, but lots of blokes in dresses, funny costumes and people getting into it. Smashing it were and sure to be just as lovely next year!



My only complaint was it seemed there was less catering, despite the late night cafés, hidden eateries - those that were there seemed at £7 a proper meal a bit more expensive then some festivals I’ve been to this year, and like many others I had to tighten my belt come Sunday as I’d not brought enough dosh – and no cash points - but it was quite nice to remember festivals where you actually run out of cash. Ah well food or ‘special’ cider and ale? Guess which option I went for?

Can you get Culture Shock back together for next year please? And keep all the usual lovely fixtures and fittings, regular acts and new surprises – my legs are wobbly and stiff from all the ‘knees ups!’

Well done LGO and everyone concerned with the festival! You my friends, have a winner! Anyone who loves festivals and is thinking of going, with kids or without, go, and get tickets early, cos I suspect next year it could well sell out quickly.

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