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Dorset Bear

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  1. Family Camping Area

    in Endorse It In Dorset

    Posted

    That's what we did last year and there was no problem. It's more of a Noisy Field / Quiet Field affair than a no kids/kids only & there's loads of space in the family field, although most crowd together near the top to keep the walk home to a minimum.

  7. Feedback 2010

    in Endorse It In Dorset

    Posted

    What A Fantastic Weekend!

    This was also my second visit to Endorse It and it won’t be my last. As well as the kids, we also brought a couple of ‘festival virgins’ with us. Having seen Gasto on the TV they had never been tempted by festivals, especially as they listen mainly to ska at home, but we tempted them with tales of fun & frolics from last year’s festival. They had a great time & even brought a dress for ladies day.

    The Stewards & Security people were polite and very efficient, full marks for creating an environment that felt safe & well organised but was also as relaxed as Amsterdam’s Vondelpark. I love the mix of people of all ages that come to EIID and everyone gets on so well. I didn’t see any fuss or bother & most people joined in and dressed up in their best party frocks.

    It was great to have more stages to visit from the large main stage to the gazebo sized Strummerville & La Boite Arts de la Rue – I only regret not having more time to visit them all.

    Strummerville was in a much better position at the bottom of the field and I hope it becomes a regular feature. It’s a great spot to chill out & I stumbled across some good bands which was a nice bonus. I would spend longer here if there wasn’t so much great music elsewhere on the site to see.

    Have you been slipping viagra to the main stage? It looked a lot bigger with plenty of room to get in & dance. It looked like you’ve also been working on the light show and we had some great dance sessions late into the night.

    I would agree with the comments about the sound overlap between Wildcat Stage/Purple Purge/Beer Tent, [although, unlike blackcapsteve, I enjoyed the music there & often dropped in for a pint of Ringwood but then stayed for a bop]. There was also an overlap between The Bus Bar & La Boite Arts de la Rue – which was a shame as it was the most entertaining caravan I’ve ever seen.

    While I’m mumbling and grumbling - Maybe I was unlucky but there appeared to be periods when I walked from stage to stage to find they were all setting up or a tad punky for my tastes - but don’t take me too seriously, I‘m nit-picking. I’d be interested to read what others thought.

    There was a great mix of bands and music styles with Eat Static, Symarip, Dreadzone Soundsystem & Subgiant being the stand-out acts for me. I also loved The Dammed & Subhumans who were far better punk headliners than last year’s Sham 69. Los Albertos, Pronghorn, Urban Voodoo Machine and Hobo Jones & The Junkyard were as entertaining as always but please please please don’t schedule Hobo Jones for Sunday next year – the sight of those big hairy shoulders in a little black dress was too much for a Sunday morning.

    The Guns Of Navarone were really tight this year after playing regular gigs and I could have done with a much longer set. The pleasant surprises for me were Scubaroots, The Curst Sons, Dead Plants, & Chicken Shed Zeppelin - I‘ll be looking out for more of their stuff. Which brings me to … Where was the merchandise? I took a pocket full of cash to buy lots of new Cds and all I could find was EIID stuff and a handful of Cds that I’ve already got. I heard bands saying they’d got Cds for sale but they never appeared at the merchandise stand? I only came home with 1 cd this year, although at £5 for the festival 2 disc compilation is was good value.

    Pauling Black was too ‘middle of the road’ for me and a disappointing choice to close the festival – but at least I got an early night for once. Hopefully we’ll get Zion Train back next year or give the job to Subgiant.

    Putting lights over the porta-loos made a big different as enough of the toilets remained serviceable to the end of the night – it wouldn’t hurt to top-up on loo rolls more often and perhaps more hand-washing or hand-gel next year? The urinals worked well, although it did look odd when you walked past them on Sunday and saw them packed with big hairy ‘ladies’. The stewards must have worked really hard to clear up as there was an unnecessary amount of litter around the site – I just don’t understand why people drop so much litter around the arena and the top camping field when there are plenty of bins around.

    There was a good selection of beers & cider served by friendly bar staff. Good food and mostly at a reasonable price – I never felt that I was getting ripped off. The stands with seating appeared busier than those without - more tables please!

    The Kids area and circus tent was popular with my girls and I’m feeling pleased with myself because I learnt how to spin a plate and I’m getting better at the Diablo. The graffiti artist & EIID were good too, but my kids favourite was the pottery in the woods.

    I get the feeling that EIID listen to the comments made which all goes towards creating a great festival.

    EIID 2011 feels like a long way off. :(

  14. NEW WEB SITE!

    in Endorse It In Dorset

    Posted · Edited by Dorset Bear

    Pedant's Corner

    The line-up is taking shape nicely, but the web-site says 'four stages'

    The Desmond Dekker Stage

    The Wildcat Stage

    The Wig-on Casino

    The Bus-Bar Stage

    ... but the links show

    The Purple Purge Stage

    The Wildcat Stage

    The Wig-on Casino

    The Bus-Bar Stage

    While you're working on the site, how about How about 5 stages & 5 links

    I'll get my anorak ...

    Ta

    :P

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