Few last minute questions from a first timer

[Joee94]

Ok so Reading is my first festival, and my first holiday (well sorta) away from my parents and I have some questions, which hopefully aren't too stupid:

1. I'm a MASSIVE Green Day fan, so I'd like to have a decent spot if they play the NME tent on Saturday, is it common for people to wait outside the Arena entrance/ is it even allowed.

2. Where's a good place to keep my money safe, I don't have much but I would like it for a burger here and there, and I don't want to lose it.

3. This is probably quite a common question but where's a good place to camp, I was thinking somewhere on the border of Yellow/Purple camp

4. I'll be arriving at Reading Station around 10:45, is this too late to get a (semi) decent camping spot?

5. I won't be drinking or doing drugs because I'm not quite 18 (under a month to go) and I didn't want to risk it, but I know some people that might be doing weed or whatever, and I was wondering what the chances of them being caught is, and any repercussians I could face (This really looks like a "I'm asking for a friend" question haha)

6. Should I lock my tent, the Reading site says no, I just don't like the idea of my tent being THAT easy to just get into

Thanks, I think those are all my niggling questions on my mind, any tips for a first timer? I've got all my stuff, I've got my timetable, I've got my train tickets.

(Hopefully people aren't too harsh on me, and maybe this can give some insight to other people, I figured you guys knew best about this stuff)

[ashsi]

Dont lock your tent... its just begs people to enter it

[Joee94]

Dont lock your tent... its just begs people to enter it

[Hart Attack]

1. I'm a MASSIVE Green Day fan, so I'd like to have a decent spot if they play the NME tent on Saturday, is it common for people to wait outside the Arena entrance/ is it even allowed.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Hart Attack

[2rare2die]

If people want to get in, they'll just cut through the side anyway, and locking it just makes potential thieves think that there must be something worth having inside, so I definitely wouldn't bother.

[Joee94]

Thanks Hart Attack! Yeah I'm going on Thursday, I guess I'll just wait and see with where I can camp if my ideal spots get too packed. You answered all my questions, I won't bother with a lock I have nothing of value unless they feel like nicking some toilet roll + wet wipes

[PurpleFire]

Yeah that's what I read, I won't have anything of value on me, it just un-nerves me, like having your front door unlocked.

[DTichborne]

An additional point about keeping stuff safe. Never leave anything in your tent that it would matter about losing. Sleeping bags etc. are replaceable and you can't secure everything, but obviously don't leave money/your phone etc.And at night, put your wallet, keys and phone at the bottom of your sleeping bag before getting in. 99.9% of thefts are opportunistic - actual physical threats are very, very rare. By which I mean that in nearly 20 years of festival going it has never happened to me, but tent thefts have. All they've ever gotten is a sleeping bag (once) and clothing (another time, but only because they were looking for stuff in the clothes - I found them strewn across a nearby path). Stuff like that, while annoying, shouldn't spoil your trip or put you off going again. And the odds are still against it.

The other good bit of advice is: as soon as you set up camp, say hi to all of your neighbouring campers immediately. For one, you might make more friends, but above all it means that there's a lot of people that know who should be around and who shouldn't.

Edited August 22, 2012 by DTichborne

[micawber]

All good advice. The general rule is do not bring anything you wouldn't mind losing. I also think that theft risk is highest the first couple of days before people have spent most of their cash, so be extra careful first couple of days them relax.

[Joee94]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I've got a cheap £10 phone for the festival and nothing else of value. My last minute nerves feel more calmed now, have fun at the festival guys!

[the wonderwhy]

Might be an idea to leave your tent a bit of a mess. A) it can put people off if they know they're going to be ages looking around for stuff, and if you strategically place a few items of clothing around & remember where they are, you can instantly tell if you've had an intruder when you get back

[Avens]

Fun little tip: wash out a suncream bottle with a wide twisty lid and whack some valuables in there if you're worried. Thieves won't want suncream...particularly if the weather goes the way the BBC is predicting!

Also...you will not have a single, single problem drinking in the campsite. You will need ID for the arena though, so drinking there will be out. But drinking in the campsite will be fine. As for weed...it tends to smell, so generally the worst that might happen, provided your friends have a small enough amount for personal consumption rather than dealing to the masses, you'll get a warning or a quick word. They might get searched though, so they should be prepared to be pissed off if a dog catches them and they get their weed taken off them. Again, nothing will happen really other than it being taken away, as long as there isn't loads of it.

[kaosmark2]

I've never bothered with lockers myself, so I can't tell you if they're any good or not. Safer I would guess, but less convenient. At night, keep your valuables hidden in your tent... I go with the bottom-of-the-sleeping-bag strategy, and that's always worked for me. Just don't leave them lying around where sneaky ninja-thieves could easily take them while you sleep.

[AcademicPistol]

Once again just to go through some things.

Throw all your padlocks away so you don't get tempted absolutely not needed.

Don't leaving anything of value monetary or sentimental in your tent.

When you hit the hay, if you don't have a locker put any valuables either at the bottom of your sleeping bag or in your pillow case basically in a place a thief would have to wake you up to nick (just precautionary not to scare you).

Any other questions just ask.

Drink irresponsibley, run around with scissors and have an awe inspiring time.

[jump]

Once again just to go through some things.

Throw all your padlocks away so you don't get tempted absolutely not needed.

Don't leaving anything of value monetary or sentimental in your tent.

When you hit the hay, if you don't have a locker put any valuables either at the bottom of your sleeping bag or in your pillow case basically in a place a thief would have to wake you up to nick (just precautionary not to scare you).

Any other questions just ask.

Drink irresponsibley, run around with scissors and have an awe inspiring time.

[ar1]

Always carry a small pack of tissues as the toilets are not the sort of place where there's nice clean toilet roll available.....

[DTichborne]

Always carry a small pack of tissues as the toilets are not the sort of place where there's nice clean toilet roll available.....

[kaosmark2]

If you're going to Reading just have a daily dump at McDonalds or Spoons or Tesco or something.

[AcademicPistol]

I disagree, you should pad lock your neighbours tent so theives will head there and skip past your own tent,