Just a wee note to say a big thank you to everyone for a great weekend.My wife and I travelled down from Scotland for our first Weyfest and we were certainly not disappointed. 

The weather was kind (reasonably) and the music was outstanding. Particular highlights for us would be Leatherat, Rodney Branigan and Mungo Jerry on the Friday night and on Saturday Leatherat again on the big stage.  What a tremendous set they played.  This band are awesome.On Sunday the absolute highlight and discovery of the festival was Stevie Simpson (One Bloke One Mandolin).  We had never heard him beforeand he totally blew us away.  Brilliant.

Of course we enjoyed other bands.  Curved Air and Wishbone Ash were big nostalgia trips for us and The Zombies were on top form as well, but the best bits were as noted above.

I believe you have already booked Leatherat for next year.  They alone are worth the trip down.  But please, please can we also have Stevie again.  It's very difficult for us to get to see these guys since they don't play north of the border, so we would be eternally grateful if you would also include Stevie in the lineup.  Also what about The Hamsters. They are also awesome and would, I am sure, go down a storm.

Once again, an absolutely huge thank you and see you next year.

Rob

Great festival again. Brilliant weekend. We’ve been coming since you’ve been at Tilford and this was the best lineup yet. Food excellent as well. A couple of observations.

Seemed like there were fewer toilets this year – the ladies queued for ages at times

Can you get the bar to do lager on Friday. My mate falls over on cider and doesn’t like bitter

More important the new main stage drowned out both other stages at times. I felt sorry for Jackie Leven when competing with Leatherat!!

Nick

Hi

Just an email to say what a great Weyfest we had. We came last year for just the Saturday and enjoyed it so much that we camped for the weekend this year. The organisation and the camping facilities were really great. Although our tent was one of those broken into it didn't spoil our enjoyment of the whole Weyfest event. Looking forward to next year and another great line up of bands.

Even though we are in our fifties we liked the younger bands on the Old Kiln stage as much as the nostalgic trip with Curved Air and Focus,

Keep up the good work.

Sue and Steve

Just wanted to say a big thank you for this year's festival.

I hadn't been to any festivals since a mud ridden Reading back in 1977 but this year's line up gave me enough incentive to buy an earlybird ticket. Judging from previous year's lineups, the quality of acts is improving greatly but it would be highly unlikely that you could beat the number of my "favourite" bands that played this year.

Listening to The Christian again after nearly 20 years even brought a tear to my eye!

Not only was the music great but the ambience was so relaxing and there was a wide range of good food and real ale. Even the mugs of tea were sensational.

can't wait to hear next year's line-up - hopefully a similar range of Classic 70's rock, electric folk/rock, etc..

Many many thanks again

Phil Davies

Hi there

Just a quick email to say THANK YOU so much for a fabulous weekend.  We had a brilliant time.  I can't believe it was even better than last year.  Brilliant acts, great food, good beer and a terrific atmosphere make Weyfest our festival of the year.  Not an idiot in sight just everyone having fun and enjoying themselves.  We will certainly be back again next year.  Congratulations to all involved, organisers, admin, stewards etc Im sure the list is endless. You should be very proud.  Now go and catch up on some sleep!!

Thanks again!

Jane, Damian and Roger

Hi Weyfest organisers,

Just a big - big thanks for putting on a truly great Festival last weekend.

I have attended & still do attend a large number of festivals.  I thought I must say that WEYFEST last weekend was absolutely top notch. The bands you had on, the site, the atmosphere, the people - it all worked not just well, but brilliantly. We attended last year, and as it was so good we came back for more, we were not disappointed I can tell you.

Thanks, once again see you next year. Oh yes nearly forgot to say, if you can get Martin Turners Wishbone Ash again please do.

JUS ROCKIN' ON

BIG ALICE

Guys

Thanks so much for putting on such a great weekend – there was NO part of it I didn’t enjoy, but I do have a serious suggestion:

Yours is now the ONLY festival without its own forum.

Forums serve two functions, first to let festival goers discuss the various merits of the performing artistes, and, secondly (and most importantly) to share information.

A forum allows the seasoned festival goers to answer the questions with which you have no doubt been inundated, thus taking some of the day to day burden off your shoulders, and allow you to concentrate on the bigger picture, and indeed maybe have some family/down-time!

(I know you have the Yahoo Groups thing, but it really does not work).

This suggestion is intended to be an effort to help – please accept it as such, and

Well done again.

‘Best

Ray

Hiya,

Big congrats on the most brilliant weekend.  First time I've been and I'll be back!  Pretty damn perfect except....

any chance of more female loos? there were always long queues

and on the Saturday the music from the main stage was interfering with the music from the kiln stage, whilst it's good to hear lots of

music, perhaps not at the same time!!  However I didn't think it was so bad on the Sunday, so perhaps you addressed that.

Can The Goldrush go on a bigger stage?....pleeeeeeeeeeeeease

Other than that, stalls - good, food - good, drink - good, music - excellent and weather ok too!

Regards

Sarah Betts

Indeed, it really was a superb weekend and my first experience of Weyfest. It was the most enjoyable festival I've ever had the pleasure of...and I've been to few since since '71.

It's a beautiful and fascinating site, well laid out.

Not having to be an orienteering expert when travelling between the camping area and the stages was nice, (unlike some of the bigger fests).

The marshalling was very well done, visible and accessible but not 'in ya face', but then this wasn't a corporate affair like the Victoria and Hyde Park gigs of recent years. This last point was emphasised by the sensibily priced mechandise, no £25 t-shirts and £10 programmes! Fair pricing by all the vendors I thought, special mention for The Furnace and in particular their coffee... [Mmm.] I wolfed it down.

Highlights for me amongst the stage acts were, generally, Robin Trower, John Otway Big Band, 3 Bonzos & A Piano. As for pieces, The Christians rendition of Harvest For The World (and their 'nod' to the Temps. **Papa Was... which wound me up briefly when they didn't actually play it properly)....but like a good Christian, I could forgive them easily as they brought on the Isley's number.

**kudos to TC for noticing what day it Was! Angelflame was wonderful during the Space Ritual ; missed her at 'Arts' Crazy World the next day as I had to be faffing about elsewhere, but at least I could still hear the set from the campsite. Julia K was worth getting soaked for (though I thought my trollies would dry out quicker than they did).

Speaking of kudos, who was the Beekeepers stage announcer early Sat. p.m.? ;-D....I think it was straight after the Otway set, when he made some announcement...it might've been about vehicles, I dunno now... but anyway, was his 'delivery' a freaky fluke, or had he actually made a study of the Woodstock announcer!? His tone, tempo, enunciation etc.. was a dead ringer (i.e. for an English version) of something I heard on the Woodstock film ; it was so funny!! Whether intentional or not, quite brilliantly done!! :-)

I meet loads of wonderful folk ; there was a terrific vibe throughout. Don't know what the numbers were? 2 to 3 thousand on the Sunday? Whatever the number was, it should be capped at that imho. Anymore and it would become choked. Taxi driver that brought me from the station said locals think the numbers have been dropping the last few years. I hope it remains viable with attendance as it was this year?

It was an unexpected pleasure what I found on the campsite at night. Great to see sensible H&S in place without brainless 'working to rule'. Seeing folks being responsible, discreet and inventive was warming, that's the way to do it! A bit of wok-u-like does yer good ;-)

Was there anything I didn't like?

Guess I'm not The Blockheads fan I thought I was? Think I'll stay with what I know from the studio stuff in future...the rhythm section was fine but..well, nevermind, I thought the set was out of kilter with the rest of the weekend 'doings' generally (or maybe it was just me?) While I'm at it, they also were the first set I noticed to use the ghastly 'prison break' lighting as I call it. It's been going on at gigs for years now and I don't like it. I know its good to see the lights sweeping across the audience when watching a live concert on dvd (I can't think why else it's done), but if want my retinas burnt out by flash lights, I'll go and upset someone at MI5 ok. I don't want to have to close my eyes. Yes sure, I can move to the peripherals (at a fest stage at least), but there the sound is muddy. I wish lighting crews would pack it in. I loath it. It's stage lighting, it should be directed at the stage (with maybe a small exception for some filming on occasion). Again, it's probably just me....I'm the guy who sticks a finger in his ear when a screaming siren on an emergency services vehicle tears by me on the street....I guess most peeps aren't that bothered about it?

Oh yea...;-B~ another thing, too many lovely engaging people around the bar area making me loose track of time.... and consequently missing seeing bands I'd been looking forward to...lol.. as happened with The Groundhogs and MT's Wishbone Ash.... I don't get out much you see, so the social aspect was marvellous for me. Peeps were so friendly, it was very refreshing.

Fabulous time was had! Many thanks to you, the rest of the organisers and all concerned. [pats self on back] and why not.. the whole thing was a WTP package after all, We The People helped make it happen!

James Watson

Hi Ali

We would like to thank yourself and all the organisers of "WEYFEST 2011" for a fantastic weekend of music and entertainment. It"s our third year and bands just get better the campsite, toilets and security were excellent and the whole weekend was one big friendly party. Can"t wait for next year"s lineup to be announced. Thanks again  

Sue & Steve.

Hi Ali

Congrats to you and the team on a another sensational 3 days - so sad it's over and looking forwards to next year already.

The new layout worked great and I think everything went up a notch. Beer tents(& toilets!) worked a treat and there seemed to be every sort of food to eat. I can't comment on how much better you were that Guilfest as for the first time in nearly 20 years we didn't bother going to Guilfest! (Couldn't face James Blunt and Peter Andre at the same time)

As regards bands I thought Mungo Jerry and friends were again sensational on the Friday. Saturdays combination of the Enid and Focus closed the night brilliantly (a real step up from Focus and I've heard nothing but good reports on them). Saori Jo was a little gem on the second stage and will go onto great things. Sunday was just one great band after another Christians (Brilliant), Blockheads (wonderfully entertaining), Wishbone Ash (Best set of the 3 days? - how tight are they!) and then the amazing Newton Faulkner (What a voice & stage presence).

Everyone I met was friendly and having fun which made the atmosphere superb.

Thanks to you and all the team for the 12 months hard work that makes this happen - you should be very proud indeed.

Steve T

Dear Ali,

Fantastic. What a really great festival and weren't we fortunate with the weather.

For me, Dr Feelgood, Leatherat, Anna Phoebe and Newton Faulkner gave outstanding performances. And The Crazy World of Arthur Brown was strangely entertaining!

Can you have a think about re-booking all or any of them for next year?

Regarding the performers on the Rustic Stage, I spoke with Vic Cracknell who encouraged me to write in. The band the little unsaid were terrific and in my view deserve a main stage slot (the Villlage Green, perhaps).

Best wishes. Roll on 2012!

Mike Mehta

We really enjoyed all the show, what a fantastic event. You should be very proud.

Christians were my favourite, with Focus well up there too. Most of the 'library' acts were good too - up close!

I hope you didn't get too stressed from it all - you helped a load of people enjoy themselves hugely.

Take care,

Fraz

What can I say except a massive thank-you for pulling the strings to get Tom on yesterday,  I can't tell you how much we appreciate it.  We all had a fantastic day, even with the drummer turning up late!

Also, just gotta say, that Weyfest has to be one of the best organised and friendliest of festivals.  All the people we dealt with backstage from crew, security, the compere everyone was great, really accommodating and friendly.

Ange said that from a punters point of view you couldn't ask for anything more, lots of clean loos, plenty of choice foodwise, good selection at the bars with small queues and no rip off prices.  Plus there was heaps of things for the kids and our friends kids, or the rugrats as Ange calls them, said they had the best day ever - their only disappointment was that we wern't staying over - looks like we might be camping next year!

Young Frank

Hi to you all,

Just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for having us!  Wonderful Festival, hope it was really succesful, it deserved to be.  Extremely well run and we all appreciated everyone who helped us on the day, so please pass on our thanks you to your team, especially the stage management and sound guys!

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

All the very best

Debbiex

(Midnight Train)

Hi Ali

What a great time I had at Weyfest again. The organisation is superb, the atmosphere is the friendliest I've experienced at a festival, the setting is just beautiful and even the weather was kinder than forecast. Bigger than last year but still retaining that intimacy. I had fun, lots of it!

Highlights for me were Mungo Jerry, Jackie Lynton, Doctor Feelgood, The Blockheads and Newton Faulkner.

Congratulations to the team for another successful event.

Many thanks for all the hard work.

Hilary

Ali (and team)

I would expect you are inundated with correspondance at the moment but thought as always i would add to it anyway.

CONGRATULATIONS......what a weekend.

Can not fault it at all.

The atmosphere was fantastic, the site was fantastic, the facilities were fantastic and the music was fantastic (a great mix to please everyone). I go to alot of festivals and Weyfest is definately setting a bench mark in small family festivals.

As far as the music is concerned everyone will have different favourites (which is the way it should be)..............Obviously John Otway i loved, Arthur Brown was a real surprise loved him, Newton was superb what a talent, other favourites for me were Blockheads, Dr Feelgood, Focus and loads more (loved Jenny Lockyer). Only downside for me was having to miss Solid Juice Band so i could introduce Otway (Thanks again for that)...will get to see Solid juice again one day.

How the Hell do you top that for next year? What a task you have given yourselves...but im sure you will come up with the right mix of music yet again.

Thought i would throw some bands into the mix for you (as i am sure everyone you meet does).

Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs

The Men they Couldnt Hang

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams (Would imagine these will be over from USA for Rhythm Festival at Bedford weekend before Weyfest, so with a couple of gigs inbetween might be an idea, Jim Driver from Bedford Festival manages them over here i think. You may not have heard of them but will bring a following and a superb band, but only if you like them)

Ray Davies

Bayonettes (You have their CD)

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis

Alabama 3

From The Jam

The King Blues

Missing Andy (Saw at Bedford this year, thought they were a good up and coming indie band)

Suzanne Vega

Imelda may

John Cooper Clarke

KT Tunstall

3 Daft monkeys

Joe Bonamassa (Probably one of the best guitarists touring at the moment)

Noah and the Whale (For the youngsters)

Obviously you will be bringing back some of this years bands and i know whatever you put on it will be superb and i for one can not wait.

No critisism at all but a couple of things we liked at other festivals were a solar cinema (the kids loved this), not sure how it financially works and a comedy stage again not sure how that would fit in financially.

As i always say dont forget any help i can offer please let me know, i will be again doing the rounds of festivals and gigs so happy to distribute flyers and put posters up etc.

Only thing i thought was a little strange was Richie on Sunday morning clearing the litter on the main stage...couldnt help but stop and help.

Keep up the fantastic work....from my point of view as well as many others all your sleepless nights, worrying and hard work is well worth it.

Cheers Guys

Martin  

A Wonderful Weyfest Again.

Yep, the last of the summer music festivals for me finished again this year with Weyfest because our favourite front man was headlining there again on the Friday night. I've missed a few Mungo Jerry gigs this summer but Weyfest had been in my diary since last winter and nothing was going to stop me going. It certainly is a lovely festival, incredibly friendly, well organised, I felt safe at all times and there was a really good selection of musicians again. It is now officially my favourite festival and there's a group of us from this year planning to get together next year. After going to Weyfest last year for the first time, I was really looking forward to 2011 and I was certainly not disappointed.

After setting up camp and meeting my neighbours, we all went to the main site to check the layout (it changes slightly year by year as they make improvements to the stage and trader positioning). There were a lot more tents in the camping field this year, I'd say about twice as many as last year. The facilities are good at Weyfest, the food and drink on sale is excellent quality and not ridiculously overpriced either. There's all different things going on as well as the music - see my Weyfest 2010 review for more background and pictures.

I met up with Quintin Drake and his pals (Weyfest was MUNGO JERRY gig number 355 for Quintin).  I'd heard from Derek Wadeson that Gina Coles was going but didn't find her, and a personal highlight for me was the chance to finally meet JJ who had flown in from France just for the night - it was lovely to chat with him at last. Hope you enjoy the videos JJ!

Chatting with Toby before the show, I mentioned that I really enjoyed his keyboard playing on Mighty Man when I saw the band at The Mulberry, he astounded me by telling me that he had never heard the original as he wanted to put his own mark on the song - well it works Toby, it works. A bit more chatting with MUNGO JERRY people, a quick hello to Ray's son Phillip and the clock ticked towards show time.

It was time for MUNGO JERRY to make their appearance, Colin Webb (the Weyfest organiser) introduced the band then they launched straight into Let's Roll Baby.

The line-up of Ray, Jon, Marc and Toby works really well and the tracks glide effortlessly one after another. The usual favourites were played of course and there were other songs that I've heard at different gigs. The audience reaction was brilliant and everyone seemed to enjoy the opening night at Weyfest 2011. My neighbours had seen MUNGO JERRY play Weyfest 2009 and rushed down from work on Friday to make sure they caught the set. Everyone I spoke to said how much they enjoyed the gig, no-one could believe that ITS had come out 41 years ago and that Ray is old enough to have a pensioner's bus pass!

An amazing drum solo from Marc during the medley 'Singing the Blues'. Man, that was some drumming - readers can catch it on YouTube, check BootpowerMungo Tube for my MUNGO JERRY home videos. Jon also had his chance to show his cool bass skills off during that track and Toby's keyboard skills are highlighted on Let's Roll Baby.

Ray's voice is as strong as ever and his showmanship isn't waning - he had the audience jumping and singing along as hit after hit pounded out of the speakers. All too soon it had to finish though, Colin Webb came on stage to thank Ray and the band for opening up Weyfest again in such an energetic manner.

The rest of the festival weekend passed quickly, my favourites were Jackie Linton, Doctor Feelgood (my home town band), The Blockheads and the incredible Newton Faulkner. The weather stayed fairly kind to us with just an hour of rain on Sunday morning and Monday morning came round all too quickly. The motorway beckoned, taking me home to Essex.

Just to say what a GREAT time we had last weekend .. 4thr year running and all very good .. Blown away by Newton Faulkner !  I am glad to say its not only the oldie's  that are the best !

Thanks

Dear Weyfest Team,

I stayed for the three day event with my Son and a friend.  What a great experience.  I really believe that you had a great mix of music at this event to suit most tastes.  Some of the old favourites are great to see, so I hope they will continue to be invited.  In particular Space Ritual, Leatherat, Wishbone Ash and Focus.  There were so many smaller bands playing on the other Stages that I was also impressed with, especially CharIie Farley and the Sunday Four and 4Play.

Would love to see Mumford and Sons next year if it could be arranged.

Overall a really great experience, and will be going again next year.

Regards

Les Sanders

Another excellent Weyfest (my 4th with same 2 mates plus a new addition this year who vows to be back next year!). Favourite acts - Otway + Big Band (festival stand out and with that brilliant band, Otway must be worth a punt further up the bill), Wishbone Ash, The Enid, Focus, Robin Trower, the perennially brilliant Leatherat, Jackie Lynton, Anna Phoebe, Kindred Spirit, Saori Jo and 4Play (just what the doctor ordered to open up on Sunday - any band who can follow a Grateful Dead number with a Dusty Springfield one and pull it off demands respect!!).

Disagree with what someone said on the Skiddle site that The Enid + Focus wasn't a lively enough end to Saturday - I thought they were a great combo and Focus' blend of more mellow pieces with rousing rockers such as Hocus Pocus was a great end to the evening. Only grouse, The Enid omitted the Dambusters and Land of Hope and Glory - have a word Ali and make sure they correct that if they come back (and I hope they do...)!!

Campsite great (even though you can't park near the tents - I know that ain't your fault!), but not enough loos - one portacabin for the whole campsite was way insufficient and a helluva hike if you are camped at the far side. Maybe at least another one further into the site next year?

Food outlets very good and reasonably priced.

Bar even better than last year as 2 outlets so much more convenient and absolutely NO QUEUEING!!

Organisation brilliant - efficient and friendly as always.

Roll on next year...