[Weyfest 2013]

It's great, and yes, you do start to recognise people, particularly if you're camping, including the organising team who camp with everyone else. It's small enough that you can pop back to the tent for something and be back to catch the end of the same number, or flit between stages if there's a clash of interests (but there's not generally any significant overspill of sound between stages). Do support the Rustic Stage which has newer acts on; variable quality but you can chance on a real gem if you're lucky. The Rural Life Centre is a great venue with plenty to do/look at if you want a break from the music.

Our 5th year I think, and really looking forward to it.

[Taking children to festivals]

Perfectly do-able (ours went to festivals from 10 months - easier than at age 6 when too big for the push-chair and wanting to go to bed early). A few thoughts:

- We tended to get him changed for bed at the normal time, but let him nod off as he wanted in the push chair; he seemed to regard all he could see as a giant version of one of those mobiles you hang

above the cot for them to watch while going to sleep! There's always the chance it won't work and you'll have to give up and take him back to the relative calm of the tent. We more or less gave up on washing him for the duration.

- An off-road pushchair is far easier on a rough site; take some flashing LED lights so people can see it at night in crowds, and don't forget both rain cover and sunshade.

- Take the high chair (if old enough for one) or feed in the pushchair; far easier than feeding at ground level with all sorts of unhygenic stuff to grab!

- I'm not over-fussy, but we did take sterilising fluid and a big bowl as so much ends up dropped on the ground.

- We were also fairly careful with any water he drank (Puritabs or boiling it) as the last thing you need when camping is a baby with an upset stomach!

- A small sleeping bag is useful as it's less likely to fall off in the night and wake her up cold, or at least plenty of blankets (it's far colder at night in a tent than indoors).

- If you can find one, a camping cot is far better than the huge "travelling" ones you normally get. You'll still need a fairly big tent.

- Be prepared for her to wake very early (tents let in the light far more than do curtains) and if she has a long crying fit in the night or first thing, it's kind on your camping neighbours to take her somewhere else until she settles.

Have fun!

[Rock n Roots Festival]

The Acoustic Festival (not Rock n Roots) did happen in 2009 and was actually pretty enjoyable, though partly 'cos low attendance meant no big crowds and a short walk to the tent; good weather and some excellent acts helped. Too much catering for the crowd size so lots of choice but some disgruntled traders who lost money. Organisation appeared somewhat haphazard (constant retiming of acts and a couple of no-shows) confirming my experience of the cancelled Rock n Roots. I'd probably go again if the line-up looked particularly good, but I'd have my fingers crossed!

[Acoustic Festival Traders]

Sympathise with the traders - as punters the choice was great, but there did seem rather a lot competing for limited business. Slightly surprised though to see so many traders leave early - having got set up and presumably paid staff for the whole weekend they may as well have stuck it out, and the good weather meant at least stock wasn't likely to get spoiled. We intended to buy more on the last day once we knew how much cash we had left, but found most of what we wanted had shut up; the cash didn't go to the remaining traders as it was specific stuff we had our eyes on. Even the grocery left early so we couldn't buy stuff for breakfast on the last morning.

We were there slightly under sufferance having being offered tickets following the debacle of "Rock 'n' Roots" and not getting our money back, but did enjoy it. Still not sure I'd trust the organisers again, though the facilities, music and atmosphere were great.

[child friendly festivals]

Try Weyfest. Small (couple of thousand-ish) so no huge crowds to get squashed in and campsite just a few yards from stages so no treks back to the tent. Set at a rural museum so other attractions (animals, miniature railway, country walks, old buildings to explore) if the music loses its appeal (surely not likely for a well-brought up child?). Some permanent toilets on site and not too much mud even on a very wet weekend. Crowd mixed ages and no bad behaviour. Oh, and great music.

[Rock n Roots Festival]

Same goes for punters. I'm still trying to get the ticket refund they promised would be sent out at the end of August. Finally got an e-mail asking me to transfer my booking to next year's Acoustic Festival of Britain but I don't trust that to happen either! Have sent a final demand but it seems they're not at the Ammanford address as it's not been able to be delivered. Anyone else manage to get their money back?