Festival fun (Music on the Moor)

Member Name: oioiyou

Product:	Music on the Moor
Date:	28/07/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good family fun, local bands, stalls and activities

Disadvantages: Saturday can be a bit loud for the kiddies

I seem to randomly find really interesting local events. A few years ago my son and I came across a Conker Festival which was a ton of fun and we've attended every year since.

Last year we were in the car after a quick morning in the shops and as we were driving home we noticed a huge stage set up on the moor and a big line of stalls with various bits such as food and local crafts and best of all the sign said in large letters, "free entry" ... we pulled the car over and walked over to investigate. Most of the surrounding roads are unmarked and you can park easily plus there is some parking available in the feilds. According to one of the signs we had stumbled upon a yearly weekend festival. It was the last day and there was a really good jazz group playing (would've gone again just to see them!). The grounds are usually where people walk their dogs and visit the cows and horses that live in the fields. Thankfully they had cleared anything the animals had left behind before moving them to another area of the moor! The stalls were quite interesting, the police, ambulance and fire services each had their own stalls and were handing out leaflets, childrens activity books and balloons. There were a handful of local charity stalls but my favourite stalls were the food ones and the bar! Especially as it was late afternoon on a sunny Sunday in mid-July. My son and I left a message for my other half to let him know where we were and perched ourselves on the grass in front of the stage. Little did we know the official photographer took a photo of us!

It was quite interesting looking around as some people had set up tents along the edge of the marked out area and there were lots of children running around having a good time. I learnt later that Sunday is the family day so good timing on my part. If you go on Saturday you have a chance to see the rock bands. We went on Saturday this year and had a big picnic with a bunch of friends and saw a handful of local bands which were really good (most of them). It was a bit loud for the little ones so we didn't sit as close to the stage this time. The day was rained out later in the afternoon but we'd set up a tent so it wasn't a problem for us.

This year I investigated a bit more of what was around and although I didn't go in, there was another stage enclosed in a big tent with a band playing inside. There was a big stall set up for the children filled with arts and crafts bits. I gave my son a pound to donate to the RSPB who were running the stall and didn't see him again for about an hour. He came back covered in stickers, a handful of drawings and a sock puppet. There was a tent set up with people handing out bottles of water which was nice as I was about to go and buy one!

Music on the Moor states its fun for all ages 0-90 so bring out the baby and grandpa! All held in the fields just outside Hemel Hempstead (near the dreaded magic round-about). The land is owned by the Box Moor Trust www.boxmoortrust.org.uk (Not sure but the website might be under construction at the moment as I tried it earlier and nothing...). The Box Moor Trust is a charity that aims to preserve local woodlands, grasslands and pastures. For any other locals they cover Boxmoor, Westbrook way, Bourne End, Felden and Bovingdon. The Trust does a lot of conservation work such as tree planting, pond clearing and many other things. The website says it's for children 16 years plus but I got a leaflet offering activities for younger children the other week (not that I know where I put it!). The trustees of the Trust organise nature walks and such for school groups and care for the horses and cows they have living on the land. I'm dragged there regularly to visit the horses and see any new ones that have arrived.

Anyway back to Music on the Moor ... It's well worth the trip. Get a picnic sorted, invite some friends and relax to some music. There's always a good atmosphere and it's free so if you think it sucks then you're not out of pocket! Apparently more then 100 local bands applied to play on one of the two stages at the festival.

Saturday: rock, pop, r 'n' b and funk
Sunday: classical, jazz and easy listening

According to a local paper last years festival attracted about 4,000 people on the Saturday and 2,000 on the Sunday.

Worth a visit but take it from me that it's not the best idea to have a couple drinks and then try your luck on the climbing wall!

A friend of mine is looking into having a stall of her own next year to see if she can attract people to her artwork. Not a bad idea as there were a few local artists doing that this year that looked to be getting some good business. So maybe next year I'll be working a stall at the festival (whilst my children run mad through the fields!)

Fancy sponsoring or getting involved? Contact the Box Moor Trust on 01442 253300 or via the website (see above)

I took away a star only due to the amount of people smoking, I know it is not against the law and it's outside but I quit smoking 2 years ago and everytime I see or smell one I want one!

© oioiyou 2009

Summary: Local festival that's good fun