You might like to take advantage of the local countryside during your music festivals visits.
Whether you’re on your own or with a family or group, you’ll have an impact on the local environment when you visit the countryside for your music. Festivals organisers take great pains to make sure that their music festivals do minimal damage as they are well organised and have the co-operation of local authorities, but you also need to play your part when out and about in the countryside.
Busy traffic on small country roads can be unpleasant and dangerous to local people, visitors and wildlife - so slow down and, where possible, leave your vehicle at home. If that isn’t possible, make sure you don’t park somewhere that will inconvenience locals. By law cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders on bridleways. Music festivals go-ers should keep out of the way when farm animals are being moved, and listen to instructions from the farmer.
Music festivals go-ers may find themselves close to a working farm. In fields where crops are growing, follow the paths wherever possible. Farmers may occasionally leave a gate open so that the livestock can reach food or water. The rule is to always leave a gate as you find it. Climbing over walls, hedges and fences can damage them and increase the risk of animals escaping. And leave the livestock alone – if you think an animal is in distress, contact the farmer.
Taking a countryside stroll might seem like an innocent enough pass-time for music festivals go-ers, but it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. Your rights of access might be restricted during breeding seasons or if safety work such as tree felling is being carried out.
Music festivals organisers follow strict health and safety procedures in the music festivals grounds, but if you decide to stray, you’re responsible for your own safety. Many areas of countryside have poor or no mobile phone reception, so always tell someone where you are going and how long you intend to be.
Remember that wandering in the countryside can be dangerous and music festivals go-ers should find out about the surrounding land. It is all too easy to get lost, fall, or find yourself in the vicinity of a shoot. Stay out of ponds, streams and rivers as they may have hidden dangers. And don’t assume that those benign looking cows are alone – there could well be a few bulls around too!
The LodeStar Festival looks forward to welcoming you in 2007. For more information contact info@lodestarfestival.com