Millihelen Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Cinnamon mentioned Reading Festival in another topic.... So far I have resisted, so far my sons have not been able to afford it, and so far, by the time they think about it the tickets are sold out... but sooner or later we will have to give in. They have been to Truck a couple of times, but Reading sounds so big and scarey in comparison. How - when do we let go of them and let them go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Hi My eldest went when she was 15,with a friend. My youngest went by default at 14 last year,as the eldests friend got Swine Flu. She went with her sister,although,as they like different music,they did spend a fair bit of time apart too. They don't camp - I trawl down there at midnight to fetch them home each night. I have heard some horror stories about camping - a friends sons tent was set alight with him in it. People tend to trash the tens on Sunday night,as its the end of the last festival of the season.Its traditional,but really stupid. Some people I have spoken to have lost all their belongings.... My girls want to come home,sleep in comfort,shower & do their hair properly each day anyhow. The Fest itself is good & pretty safe.There is a big Police presence, & neither of my girls have ever felt in danger in any way. In my opinion,if you are spending that much on a ticket,you are going for a good time,not to cause trouble,although there will always be an element of that at any large gathering. All in all,I am in favour,although I do put my foot down about camping there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millihelen Posted June 28, 2010 Author Share Posted June 28, 2010 I think that just reinforces what others have said - let them go but not camp. My sons are actually 16 and 17, but the eldest can be very vulnerable (goes to a special school for social/emotional etc difficulties) and looking after him a big responsibility for the younger one. I think they will be away for this year's and hopefully still won't be able to afford it next year! Oh - and I have been myself, but that was in the mid-70s. I fell asleep through Rod Stewart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 I fell asleep through Rod Stewart! I would have too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 I used to do lots of festivals, but the only one I would camp at was Run to the Sun, because my bloke at the time had a camper van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 I think i was 18 when i camped at my first festival, I was away at uni by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 I went to Reading '99, so I would've been 18. I went with my friend and her boyfriend, and met up and camped with my now-husband. I enjoyed the actual music, and would say the arena and music tents are perfectly safe, although I probably wouldn't feel comfortable walking around on my own, but that's just me. The camping side of it I found absolutely terrifying. The tents are packed really closely together, there's loads of camp fires - not good when there's loads of flammable tents. It's really noisy all night, and on the last night a lot of the port-a-loos got pushed over. I've been for just the day since and had a great time, but I'd never camp again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Festival and gig campsites are known for being absolute pits - if you don't want to get any sleep, don't mind all your stuff being nicked, and are prepared fro the 'facilities' to be swamps, then by all means go camping. I went to the Global Gathering a couple of years back and slept in the back of my van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 The camping side of it I found absolutely terrifying. The tents are packed really closely together, there's loads of camp fires - not good when there's loads of flammable tents. Camp fires are now banned,along with aerosol cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 My ES went to the Download Music Festival at Castle Donington a few weeks ago (they camped for 3 days) . He was a week short of his 18th birthday. I was paranoid that all his stuff would get lost/stolen/damaged and that he'd lose his prov. driving licence and not get on the plane home, but all went well and he came back with everything intact. He had a ball too - in texts to us (which are rare at the best of times ) he used the words "amazing" and "incredible" - two words I've never, ever heard him use about anything . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 My sons went at 17, all sorts of things got burnt but they survived and had a great time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millihelen Posted June 28, 2010 Author Share Posted June 28, 2010 Actually my eldest was desperate to go to Download this year, but I managed to use the "you are only 17" and "how on earth will you get there" excuses. Also I don't think his brother would go with him. The trouble with Reading is it is too near and too easy to get to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Don't know about Reading..but I have heard some bad things about it..so far fortunately it hasn't been mentioned My son has done IOW with two friends ( last year aged 16)..but his godmother was on the site at the time..and he has a ticket for Bestival (is that right?) this September.... He had a fabulous time at IOW but went with two friends and I know that acquiring alcohol was quite difficult which is always a plus... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
