VIEW FROM THE PLATFORM:

GUILFEST 2010

Published: 16th July 2010

A couple of years ago we received an irate response from one of the organisers at Guilfest. After asking if we could attend the annual festival which takes place in Guilford we were turned down on the basis that we did not include the three-day bash in our festival preview feature.

The reason for the festival's omittance was because we rightly or wrongly do not see Guilfest as an event on the scale of other festivals such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, Reading/Leeds...

This isn't to say that we disregard the event in any means. Guilfest is a well established and thoroughly enjoyable affair although with headline acts such as The Human League and Status Quo to categorise the festival alongside those which see the likes of Stevie Wonder, Eminem, and Muse etc. would seem a tiny bit out of place. Don't ya think?

With the atmosphere overshadowing the line-up lets concentrate on the soul purpose a disability site should be bragging tickets for in the first place shall we?

The special needs platform for the main stage was in a perfect location, directly in front of the sound desk the area gave visitors a terrific view. Unlike most festivals bringing more than one carer onto the platform wasn't a problem and although the area was busy, the viewing area never became over-crowded. Nor was there a need to wear a 'special' wristband because unless you were pitching up a tent a standard wristband was more than sufficient on the condition that it was accompanied with a wonky walk or a wheelchair to allow you access onto the platform.

Annoyingly women, and we are not being sexiest here, were freely allowed to use the disabled toilet which was positioned behind the platform. This was also the case in the guest area. Surely they could have walked a few yards and gate crashed the means cubicles instead?

Just to give you an insight on Saturday's line-up, the acts included Kid Creole and the Coconuts (ask your Dad!), Ali Campbell (ask your Mum!), Hawkwind (ask your Granddad) and Upside Hifi (Don't bother to ask anyone as virtually unknown.)

As the day went on and the crowd were sandwiched between people with special needs (the disabled platform behind them and N Dubz in front performing on the main stage.) To avoid any embarrassment and being mistaken for a fan of Dappy, the fit singer (Tulisa) and the other one which nobody mentions (Frazer) we escaped to The Good Time Guide Stage to watch Hazel O'Connor and The Bluja Project.

Over at the second stage disabled access didn't quite scrub up to that found back over at the main arena. For starters even though the special needs platform had another ideal centre view, slabs of wood blocked accessibility for wheelchairs at the top of the ramp. Another mishap was the disabled toilet - there wasn't any!

So, there's our first ever review of Guilfest, it comes with mixed compliments and concerns for those with disabilities. Hopefully our 2011 tickets will be a tad easier to come by now we have included the annual event in our festival round-up. It just goes to show that we now accept the event worthy of our coverage, next week we bring you a full review from Canterbury’s Summer Garden Fete with headline acts from the local Primary School and exciting attractions such as Pin the Tail on the bloody Donkey!