Puff the magic dragon Stainsby Festival (UPDATED) (Festivals in general)

Name: werewolf2

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Product:	Festivals in general
Date:	20/12/04 (1628 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great music, great views, friendly folk

Disadvantages: no shower facilities, running water at toilets at bottom of field only

NAME OF FESTIVAL
Stainsby Festival is held every July on a field, in Stainsby, Derbyshire overlooking the M1, provided by Paddy Lane who stepped in to buy the site, after the previous owner Dot Brunt died.
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UPDATE 2009

This year's festival is on 17 July until 19th and I for one hope that the car parks are in better condition than 2 years ago! I had to be towed off and it took my dad and me all day Monday to clean it before its MOT!!!
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BACKGROUND
The festival celebrated its 40th festival last year on the weekend and commemorative glasses for the 35th festival were made by local craftsmen in Chesterfield and were available for £2.

Due to the above problem, it was thought that the festival may have to close, because the site was not available and then one year the foot and mouth disease meant that they could not camp overnight - that year they held a one day event.
I have not been going for very many years, because I did not know about the event until I transferred from Chesterfield Division St John to Parkhouse, which covers this as a first aid duty, as it is in their area. However, it is such a big event that we often have to combine with several other Divisions in the vicinity.

The festival takes its name from the village of Stainsby which is close by. The site is at Stainsby near Holmewood, just off jnc 29 of the M1 and can be clearly visible from the Motorway and Hardwick Hall can be clearly seen from the site.
Hardwick Hall, a National Trust property, is near Stainsby Mill, another National Trust site, a former flour mill reopened for the public.

Hardwick Inn, a restaurant on the edge of Hardwick Hall's estate, sponsored last year's souvenir programme.
It was formerly a folk festival but now plays most music and has dropped the word folk from its official title. More details on www.stainbyfestival.org.uk

FACILITIES
As this is a music festival, with its own campsite, there are plenty of facilities provided.

There are portaloos, (one set for female, one set for male and usually a unisex loo for disabled visitors). These sound worse than they actually are. There are the usual blue portaloos, with limited space and often no running water at the top of the hill. However at the bottom of the hill, there is are several trailers with about 4 toilets in each. These have running water, mirrors, toilet paper (if you're very lucky!) and steps to get in and out. There is also a disabled one with a small ramp to get in. For the year of the Mud (2007), it was virtually impossible to get to these though.
There is also a disabled parking area on the main arena site. The main car park is another field on the opposite side of the road to the main campsite area and apart from disabled vehicles, cars are not allowed onto the campsite field. However, there is usually a landrover style vehicle who assists with delivering people and their luggage to the main campsite. Be aware that this facility is only available on the Friday at certain times - and may be gone before you get there. If this is the case, you may be able to borrow a wheelbarrow!

There are several taps for water, a welfare and security team, St John first aiders are on site all weekend, activities for children including crafts (may be small charge for some of these), craft stalls, beer tent, dance area, milk and papers are available from the public information area and various food stalls.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The Public Information area deals with all inquiries; sells papers, milk and orange juice; makes announcements; reunites lost children with their guardians; collects lost property; and provides programmes (for a small fee) and other information.

MUSIC
Well, being as I am usually working I can not comment much about this but from my first year there was :
Toe-Sucking Cowgirls from Australia and they were superb. One of the other First Aiders and I were extremely impressed with them and said that we hoped they would come again sometime and the Welfare steward we mentioned this to agreed with us;

David Saw & Band, who appeared at Glastonbury;
Loscoe State Opera, a Derbyshire group, who again I thought were excellent. Came back for the 2005 event!

Twizzle; Jiggerypipery; Boo Hewerdine; Spiers & Boden; Celtica; Kirsty McGee; Dick Gaughan; Eric Bogle; Warblefly; Left Hand Drive-- also at 2005 event!; Caroline Kendall & Nuala Friedman; Serious Kitchen;
Seize the Day, another of my favourites, and other's too as they were "back by popular demand" as was Dick Gaughan.

One year the highlight for me were the Fridge Magnets with a clarinetist and the Huckleberries whose members play guitar, violin and drums. I do not know what I expected but the programme listed them as playing Irish, folk, American and other music but I was slightly disappointed as all they did was play - there were no vocals at all during the entire set - to my knowledge.
Another group I really enjoyed was the FOS Brothers - a great band with brilliant vocals and very popular - the marquee was full and there were plenty dancing in the aisles. In addition, there were people watching from outside the marquee. It had me toe-tapping - a very enjoyable set.

The Arabian dancing was great too. They danced on a metal style floor set up outside the willow circle and on several occasions the dancers were accompanied by a folk band with violins etc. This may have been the Fridge Magnets - but the programme did not specify this, so this is only a guess.
In addition for the children, there were circus performers available all weekend to teach plate spinning, diablo tossing, stilt walking etc.

I even went to the Chai Chapel and sampled the Chai tea. This tasted very much of cinnamon and had a hint of chocolate in it. It smelt very Christmassy - but was not to everyone's taste. Some thought it was too strong a smell and taste, but I enjoyed it. It cost a pound, though so one to try but not have regularly!
There is also a fire show where the wicker object created is at the end burnt. One year it was a wicker dragon, but previous years have been a Wicca Man, Baba Yaga's hut and in 2002 a beautiful Phoenix, a fitting choice as the event itself rose from the ashes. There has even been a Fox.

There were also workshops on dance, singing and musical instruments - one year there was bongos. Last year apparently it was banjos according to the programme.
I am usually involved with the children's activities as we sometimes have Belarus children from the Chernobyl disaster area with us on a month's trip. As they do not speak much English when they arrive I assist with them on the circus and other activities available.

There is a parade on the Sunday which the children show off their completed crafts such as Wicker Lanterns and flags and wander round the entire campsite before finishing off in the "Green Area" which is a wicker circle.
Dogs are allowed on site but must be kept on a lead, with the owner on the other end - some years we have dog bite injurys because someone was irresponsible enough to just attach a lead but allow the dog to wander at will, and this could ruin it for everyone next year. Be warned.

PRICE
As a St John member, I do not pay - because the event can not go ahead without first aid cover and we are volunteers.
However, I believe that the price is pretty reasonable. The website said that it was £40 for the weekend if you paid before Jun 1st and £45 after that. If you just wanted to visit for one session they were as follows £13 Sat evening, £12 Sat afternoon, £10 all other sessions. (2004 prices listed above - check website for upto date figures)

Ticket Prices 2008:
Weekend (before June 1st) £50; Weekend (after June 1st) £60; Friday Evening £15
Saturday Afternoon £10; Saturday Evening £20; Sunday Afternoon £10;
Sunday Evening £15
The campsite is usually open from 12noon on Friday until 8am Monday. There are specific rules which campers must adhere to - all are set out in the free programme, which is sometimes available online. The main one being that you must wear the band provided on your wrist and show it if asked by a steward. FLASH YOUR WRIST!

GOOD POINTS
1.Good for children - plenty to keep them occupied
2.Plenty of music and activities
3.Great stalls in the craft areas
4.Very hot on recycling - facilities are available for this.
BAD POINTS
1.It seems to be over far too quickly
2.I never seem to get to see the show, at least I can hear it!

AFTERWARDS
We start planning for next year!

In 2005 the Festival chairman Tony Trafford said (2004) "People love the atmosphere of Stainsby Festival. Its intimate and relaxed." The fun is at Brunts Farm, Stainsby near Heath"

MORE INFORMATION FROM
46 John Street, Brampton, Chesterfield, the website www.stainsbyfestival.org.uk , or the dedicated information line 01246 559036.

It is always the third full weekend of July apparently, but this may alter due to other festivals some years so keep an eye out on the website or add your names to the mailing list either online or by contacting the above.
Am usually too busy tending to the sick and injured to really hear the artists each year but met several of them who had to be treated for a variety of reasons (e.g. heat related problems, stings, plasters for dancers feet, etc).

The Lost Padres sounded good and Jiggerypigery were brilliant. Could hear most of what occured at the Space and the drummers for drumming circle workshop were joined by one of our own.
This years' toilets were "Rolls Royce" style and were kept well stocked and clean by the male cleaning crew.

Thanks to all the Site Staff for their hospitality and assistance throughout the week and I hope I wasn't too much trouble and I am not barred from next year's festivities!
If you are visiting Stainsby next year, from my point of view as a St John member could you please ensure that you drink plenty of water (not just alcohol) so that you do not dehydrate, and if you feel dehydrated add a teaspoon of salt to 1 litre of water or 1/2 to a 500ml bottle of water and SIP it not gulp it (or have salt on your chips) to replace the sweat you lose dancing the night away!

Another good tip is to wear a hat when it is sunny to protect yourself from the heat. Put plenty of suncream on regularly and try to keep cool - I can recommend a bottle of cold water over the head - it did wonders for me.
We often have an all or nothing kind of weekend and if I seem to shout at you I apologise but we are often understaffed this particular weekend. We try our best to treat you for any illnesses or injuries on site so you can continue to enjoy the festival, but we need your assistance in that so don't overdo the alcohol or stay in the sun too long.

There was a lot of animals there this year as there was a Bear Hunt (or was it a Bare Hunt?) and in one year's closing ceremony werewolf was not alone, as there were loads of dancing wolves with flame throwers and even a wolf band! I particularly liked the Wolf banner and their Wolf flame picture. A bit scary for some young children but very entertaining for the majority of the people.
This occurred in the main arena by the Wish Tree and moved into the Willow Circle, and apparently some children got too close before they moved into the Willow Circle so please keep a close eye on your children, as there is usually a fire ceremony of some sort. The Willow sculpture (Wish Tree) was not burnt due to the very dry conditions this year.

Enjoy the festival and pop in and see us for a chat if you want.
2007 UPDATE
I was busy in the first aid tent due to the weather conditions and due to the treacherous conditions underfoot didn't get to see many acts in person. I did see about 20mins of the first act Nathan Kaye from Australia with the didgeridoos. He was excellent and at least the main marquee was dry and warm! However I got called out to an emergency so didn't see any more!

I did see Seize the Day but got called out again, and heard the Lost Padres and Jiggerypipery (my favourite band ever seen at the Festival).
There were less casualties but those there were seemed more serious and difficult to treat under the conditions as every step you were in danger of losing your own footwear! We developed the Stainsby Shuffle and Stainsby Slide as our unique way of getting around the campsite.

Let hope this year - the 41st anniversary we have a green carpet not a brown one underfoot! Hope to see you there!
Werewolf2 (Yvonne)

Summary: Great time to be had in Derbyshire field!