DISASTER update

[Southern Shandy]

Well, my V experience this year has already gone badly wrong. As I posted last week, my van has been stolen and I won’t be able to get a new one until the insurance has been sorted out, but meanwhile, I’ve got a festival to attend.

I’ve e-mailed the ‘official’ e-mail address with view to finding out if the disabled campsite is available (for background info, I’ve had my van stolen, this was going to act as a secure environment for my friends son who has a disability and would be happier staying in my motorhome, rather than camping) and what, if any, documentation needs to be brought along to gain access to the disabled camping area (where I hope the lighting/facilities will be better).

That was last week; sadly, there has been no reply from the organisers and I’m none the wiser as to how to gain access. (One of the things we were hoping from V, was to give my girlfriends mate a bit of respite and for me to spend time with her Son, giving his mother and my other half the chance to relax) I don’t know if there is a limit to the number of ‘helpers’ each disabled festival goer can have with them in the disabled camping section, or if you need to pre-book camping in disabled. Likewise, I have no idea if I need to book alternative parking and how far the field is from the car-park and all that sort of thing.

If any of you are able to let me know, I’d be hugely appreciative as to what you need to be aware of before going in the disabled camping section.

Oh, thanks as well to those of you who suggested I either buy a cheap caravan or hire a motorhome for the weekend. I did investigate the caravan option, by it’s going to cost me close to £350 to have a tow-bar fitted to my car (which isn’t that suitable for towing anyway), likewise, I have had a look at renting a van, but everyone I’ve contacted has already booked all of their vans out.

Sadly, there seems to be no way I can do this weekend without spending a load of money, but I’m keen to go still.

Any advice you guys can offer me about the disabled camping would be appreciated.

SS

[roytoncc]

I spotted this on the v site

"You are permitted to bring 1 assistor to V, please contact SEE Tickets on 0871 230 5584 for further information"

I have also found this phone number which is a press office, they maybe able to help or give you another phone number 020 7307 3180, it is last years number and I have not tried it but its worth a shot.

Also the concert is organised by sjm concerts in Manchester and there number is 0161 907 3443.

Fingers crossed.

[roytoncc]

Also spotted this on a old forum:

SJM appears to be an acronym for the guy behind the company, Simon J Moran. I think they are also behind seetickets.com and gigsandtours.com. Contact details are:

Metropolis Music Ltd

69 Caversham Road

London NW5 2DR

Tel: 020 7424 6800

SJM Concerts Ltd

St. Matthews

Liverpool Road

Manchester M3 4NQ

Tel: 0161 907 3443

I really do have too much time on my hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited August 17, 2009 by roytoncc

[Tee_Jay]

Gutted for you - hope you manage to find a fix and all get to go... have a read through this:

http://www.vfestival.com/parks/page/disabled-info-2

...which is the full info on their site. Not a lot there about camping for the disabled though.

There is a motorhome place in wolverhampton on cannock road which is the closest I know of to the site. I've been trying to find a contact number for them to see if they hire.... will confirm back if I get it.

EDIT: Found it: http://www.signaturemotorhomes.com/ - doesn't look like they hire out but they've been around for years (I moved away about 15 years ago and they're still going)... so they may know a local place that does rent motorhomes? Worth giving them a call and checking it out?

Fingers crossed!

TJ

PS: Just remembered there is also a caravan place at Cosford/Albrighton... http://www.cosfordcaravans.co.uk/ - that's really close to Weston Park... don't think they hire either but they may now a place that does!

Edited August 17, 2009 by Tee_Jay

[beachcomber]

Hi Southern Shandy, that's terrible news.

I'm going in a party including a disabled friend; we all bought tickets and we're sharing mud-hopping duties.

I decided to take a caravan and since I had no towbar ended up hiring a van from my local van hire company; the ones that supply builders like Charter always have cheap towers available - £135 from Thursday - Monday, plus vans are good for any paraphenalia.

I tried to buy a cheap caravan - but ended up borrowing one from a friend and now we're ready to ROCK AND ROLL!!

Edited August 17, 2009 by beachcomber

[karan]

Hi Southern Shandy, that's terrible news.

I'm going in a party including a disabled friend; we all bought tickets and we're sharing mud-hopping duties.

I decided to take a caravan and since I had no towbar ended up hiring a van from my local van hire company; the ones that supply builders like Charter always have cheap towers available - £135 from Thursday - Monday, plus vans are good for any paraphenalia.

I tried to buy a cheap caravan - but ended up borrowing one from a friend and now we're ready to ROCK AND ROLL!!

[beachcomber]

Hi,

Do you have to pay extra to have a van or caravan? I too have had a disaster, broke my ankle 7 weeks ago. Just had pot off but cant walk without crutches. was hoping to go on disabled but not without my mates. contacted v festival 22 times but had no reply. Obviously i am worried what i am going to do and how going to get all my gear to camp etc. saw the van option and thoiught what a good idea. could have van with gear and camp at the side of it. Any advice please? xx

[karan]

Hi Karan, campervan tickets were £70 face value, but there's lots of desperate people selling them on ebay right now:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=v+festi...t&_osacat=0

[staffsknot]

Karan a couple of V's ago my mate had a bad biking accident and fractured his ankle (screws in place for a few months) just before V, they wouldn't let him in the disabled seating area (we had a mate who was recognised disabled too) as they were being jobsworths.

Don't know about disabled area but unless its a different armband I think they can come and visit but might not be allowed to camp with you.

Southern Shandy sorry to hear of your problems mate, but have you tried booking something outside your local area and pick it up on the way to V?

[Southern Shandy]

Karan a couple of V's ago my mate had a bad biking accident and fractured his ankle (screws in place for a few months) just before V, they wouldn't let him in the disabled seating area (we had a mate who was recognised disabled too) as they were being jobsworths.

Don't know about disabled area but unless its a different armband I think they can come and visit but might not be allowed to camp with you.

Southern Shandy sorry to hear of your problems mate, but have you tried booking something outside your local area and pick it up on the way to V?

[staffsknot]

Gutted to hear that mate is there really no chance of him being able to camp? I mean green is nice and quiet. Other option is hire a transit van and sleep in the back of that...

Real shame for you all.

[karan]

hi shandy,

How disabled is your friends son? And what are his needs?

There is a welfare tent inside arena which opens around 2pm friday. Maybe you could still bring him and have a word in there to see if they can help.

I got a broken ankle and have contacted v festival 23 times now and had no reply.... i think its disgusting. I am just going to go with a wheelchair and hope to get on disabled car park which is closer to a couple of campsites. it look like being a good weekend weather wise which always helps.

Hope you manage to work something out and he can go. x