Godney Gathering is the small festival with a big heart that just keeps giving

This was the first time we had been to The Godney Gathering following many recommendations, we loved every minute and will definitely be returning next year.

It is well organised and very well run, all the staff, who are all volunteers, are extremely friendly and helpful and obviously enjoy what they are doing.  The atmosphere is extremely relaxed and friendly.  

There is a very convenient campsite, Garslade Farm, just across the road which is well organised and only £10/person per night, with ample clean facilities including 2 showers.  No need to cook breakfast as there are bacon butties, tea and coffee for sale.

In addition to the excellent music, there is a wide variety of food vendors offering such delights as Posh Cheese on Toast to Indian Street food, Pancakes stuffed with anything you fancy to Salt Marsh Lamb burgers – all at sensible prices.  There is also local Ice Cream for anyone who fancies pudding.  The Bar was well run with minimal queues, for the real ale drinkers there was local ale from Cheddar ‘Potholer’ – very nice.  Brother’s were offering their range of fizzy pop, but there was also a real cider by Mallets Somerset cider  - yummy.  Beer and cider a very reasonable £3 a pint.

The small people, future festival junkies, have their very own area offering clowns, story telling, punch & judy, circus school and craft area.  This was well attended and everyone was having a ball.

For those of us who need a dose of retail therapy the market area is well worth a visit, there is even a Barbers for those who may need a shave and brush-up.  

The festival has 5 music venues which cater for all musical tastes, including the very  popular Silent Disco. The Main stage opened with a young band, The Fens who held their own and got the audience moving.  Later we were able to enjoy a fabulous Ska band, ChainSka Brassika – fantastic, along with UKID and finishing up with a good dance and singalong with Scouting For Girls and many others during the day.  Jaywalk Stage featured Triple Threat who really got the party going, Nick Parker & The False Alarms, finishing with Square One.  The Main Stage and Jaywalk alternate the bands, so no sound bleed and the ability to see a good number of bands without clashes.  There is also the Acoustic tent and GFM, GFM host predominantly very good local talent including Imprints, Apherium and Finches Fly.  Sadly, one of the headliners had to pull out at short notice but they rearranged the schedule very well and it went seamlessly.

The festival supports several local charities within the area, including the Carnival Clubs and the main charity selected this year – St Margaret’s Hospice – a worthwhile cause.  

Any negative points?  Difficult to find any, except possibly one, a lack of real coffee.  Overall a fantastic one day festival for all the family and extremely good value.