June 2007

We would like to say BIG thankyou to everyone who came to the festival 2007 which was a huge success. We couldn't have done it without you all taking the risk to come to such a new event.

On the Thursday we arrived with some crew volunteers who helped set up the small marquees and built up camp. An extra big thank you to Mark Tierney who was in with us from that very first moment (in fact we kidnapped him from Preston on Wednesday night to make sure he didn't escape). We had plenty things to coordinate even then - the large Marquee being erected (thanks Ruth and Paul from Marquees of Distinction) and the lovely Karen who decorated all the colours to make people feel warm, welcome and happy. It was a very excited feeling, lots of pressure to get things right and hoping we would be ready on time.

It was 12am when we finally arrived back to the campsite after returning the hire van. We had borrowed equipment from as far as Skipton and Thirsk (thankyou Dance Camp North for your mini marquees and gas burners). We had no energy left to even care where we put our own tent in the dark that night - it was time for quick cup of tea by the fire and then bed. I don't think any of you will ever forget how lumpy and sloped some of the areas were on that top field. I think we had found the worst part of all so we woke up the next morning squashed and bruised and had to set up our own tent again before we started work. We have agreed with the Scout Warden that we can camp on the flatter BOTTOM field next time!

More crew arrived and we got back to work to finish off putting all the equipment in the right places. Very quickly the coach from Preston arrived with lots of helpers – mostly volunteers but everyone joined in the work. When the first 100 straw bales were delivered we realised they were enormous, and heavy too, and cancelled the second load. 100 was plenty for seating and some of the children used the extra ones building a den.

Those first 2 days went so fast and we couldn’t believe it was suddenly arriving time. The car park filled up so quickly – we were too busy hugging and chatting with all our friends, new and old, to keep things under control! Everyone was so excited and full of energy.

It was fantastic to see the teams work together. It was such a new experience for everyone so there was lots of learning to do. Every time we turned around there were new tents and people and things happening all around. Everyone was helping each other – straight away we could feel that community building together.

The Raising Hands marquee started to fill up in the evening and it was easy to see that most people were in a party mood. We had expected people to arrive tired from their journey but there was lots of excitement, drinks and plenty fun. This year we have decided people are happy to bring their own drinks so we are not having the bar. That will mean more space in the marquee. Many thanks to Gillian and the bar staff who stayed with us through the whole weekend despite very little custom. We are going to have an entertainment programme for Friday night next year too – why not?

Saturday the weather was sunny and bright and we could use all the indoor and outdoor spaces too. The activities went well with plenty for everyone to do. And it was great to see lots of extra things happening here and there – ball games, kids whizzing round on bikes and lots of painting appearing around the camp site and also on the people!

Sibaji, Gavin and the catering team made a beautiful curry meal and we were able to raise about £250 for a Deaf School in India. There were children’s stories, and a film then it was back to the Raising Hands for Rap Night with SignMark where we had lots of fun holding a battle of Rap competition. Well done to everyone who volunteered to have a go. It was very funny to watch. Congratulations to James Rayner, who battled it out against Mark Heaton to win a family ticket to the festival next year. And very well done to Martin Revie who’s interpretation of the performance definitely added to the entertainment!

The fun carried on into the night and as the worn out coordinators climbed into sleeping bags there were circles of happy campers all around the fires.

Sunday the weather was not quite so good, but it didn’t stop us doing everything we had planned, and more. We had more workshops including signed singing and a visit from Baby Sign, and queuing up for the very wet barbecue will stay in everyone’s memory! To brighten up the evening we had lots of laughing with John Smith’s Beautiful BSL comedy in The Raising Hands. It was also a time for people to show off the amazing willow lanterns. Well done to George McGowan who made an outstanding elephant. The weather was really not good enough to hold a parade but we hope to see more of your creations next year.

A very special moment was at the end when Emma Stevens presented the team with a colourful souvenir of the camp – a huge sheet of hand prints and everyone’s comments about the festival. Something we will always treasure, and people will be searching for their “hands” for years to come.

The camp was really a great success. We laughed a lot, and learnt a lot but the important thing is we did it all together as a community.

Many thanks for all your valuable feedback. We will do all we can to follow your suggestions and make thing better and better.

And extra special thanks to all the volunteers who really did make the festival happen.