this festival is indeed outstanding in its field

Off The Tracks Summer Festival 2011 review

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Off The Tracks Summer Festival 2011

Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September 2011
Donington Park Farmhouse, Isley Walton, nr Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England MAP
£65 for w/e inc camping; children (12-16) £32.50

"Outstanding!" Says the scarecrow.
This festival is indeed outstanding in its field.

O.T.T. has, over the years, brought some magnificent music and great times to our lives. This year was no exception. The directors have a deep passion about sharing great music with great people and put together a fabulous festival that takes place twice a year. There is always diversity, always someone you've never heard of, and some that you have. They have a knack for finding young, new talented artists before they break through on to bigger things. There's always something very special. This is a festival with a heart, raising money for charity every year.

The site itself, in its untransformed state, is a camping and caravan site with all the amenities that go with that. Hook up points, showers, proper loos; laundry etc. There's a 24 hr. first aid point at the entrance of the campsite. The selection of food has improved and the new area allotted for the café, shop and the like is a very welcome enhancement, opening up awareness of the Energy Orchard too; a quiet space set aside for healing, yoga, meditations, massages and treatments which is proving to be busier and more popular with every successive festival.

With over 60 sensibly priced real ales, ciders and perries to be had, the only difficult question is, "which one?", although the ales do tend to run out around Saturday evening. There's always the indoor bar which sell a couple of ales and is generally the focus for a later drink and folk jams/sessions. The ever popular silent disco was also a huge success, many happy faces in there... as there were in the courtyard after the main bands had finished, with the fire shows and drumming jam going on until the wee small hours. The fancy dress turn out on Saturday night was fantastic with loads of great outfits. (I got a complete outfit in the onsite Oxfam shop for £15!).

A tremendous weekend was had by many of the fantastic punters, many of whom return year after year because they know what a special festival this can be. So get your tickets early, there are only 1500 or so tickets available for each event and you won't be disappointed. The festival has slowly expanded over the years and yet still retains a small festival spirit and atmosphere. As the slogan of the festival states- Most of us will never do great things. But we can do small things in a great way. These guys certainly run a small festival in a great way. Thank you O.T.T., thank you. See you in the spring.

review by: Phil 'The Van' Lenthall

photos by: Phil Bull