Despite what seemed to be the return of the long, hot summers of the past, the heavens decided to open this weekend over Lulworth Coves, Camp Bestival. The family-friendly festival was closed on Sunday after hours of assessments by safety teams due to adverse weather. The Met Office put in place a yellow weather warning on Sunday for severe gales and heavy rain which put pay to the last day of the 4-day festival much to its organisers dismay.
The rain and winds caused mayhem to the campsites with flooding in many of it’s revellers tents as well as all stages of the main arena which led to the main arenas closure due to health and safety concerns. It was only last year that adverse weather affected Camp Bestivals sister festival, Bestival, and caused the main arena to be shut between the hours of 3pm-5pm. Despite the pleading from its organisers, the sites safety team advised them not to reopen for the Sunday of the festival however the campsites remained open for those who wished to brave the storms in order to carry on the party. In true Camp Bestival spirit, this led to its team driving round the campsite and handing out free beer and cider to those who decided to stay. Unfortunately the closure of the main arena meant that Sunday night headliner, Simple Minds, were unable to perform.
The festival issued a full statement suggesting that they were “utterly devastated” to be shutting the arena after the warnings were put in place. “Dear Camp Bestival, we are utterly devastated and heartbroken to say that we have been advised by our safety teams that we can not reopen arenas again today due to the severe weather and the forecasting of continual high winds and rain today.” The team consisting of many including founder, Rob da Bank, stated that “we had the best 3 days in Camp Bestivals history, it’s been our greatest ever show with all our favourite performers, shows, stages and artists which we have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with you all”. He wanted to make evidently clear that “the safety of all you guys, the families, kids and our working staff has to be of paramount importance”. The team also went on in the statement to reveal that a refund policy will be issued as quickly as possible.
Before the festival shut its doors, the festival goers enjoyed performances from Clean Bandit, Orbital and Rick Astley who bought out one of the country’s sweethearts, Mary Berry, who performed on the drums during one of his songs. Even when the festivals arena shut, it didn’t seem to stop York-based band Shed Seven from wanting to perform. The band took to the local pub, Weld Arms, with a miniscule 100 capacity and played for all those who made it in.
With all fingers crossed that the bad weather has disappeared again for a little while, the festivals sister, Bestival, takes to the Lulworth Cove site this Thursday to Sunday. It’s punters can expect to see performances from headliners, M.I.A, London Grammar and Silk City as well as many other huge names in music today.
Author: Emily Boulton
He discovered the gem when he was 12 years old and still has it now, claiming it to be why he fell in love with music. He likes to play disc golf when he's not writing about music. He is a one-of-a-kind individual who is always the first to bust out his air guitar on the dance-floor.
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