First Timer needs INFO!

[robMUFC96]

Hi guys and gals

Me and my mates are coming to Leeds for the first time this year and need some information:

• as GCSE results day is the 22nd, would it be logistical for two of us to go down on the 21st (Wednesday) and set up all the tents, then on the Thursday the others will get their results in the morning ASAP and get the train down, swapping with me and the other guy. We would then try and get the train to MCR and get our resuts, then get back the same night, is this possible?
• Are 16 year olds generally alright camping alone?
• Which campsite is best at Leeds?
• what is the policy on <18s drinking? I know it is officially frowned upon, but are people more accepting in the festival?

[Luke Routledge]

Hey man. The first time I camped at Leeds was after my GCSE results. Sounds like a lot of hassle to get the results mate. When I did it I go them on the Wednesday then went straight down there. If you sign some paper you can get your parents to get the results for you so you can stay at the festival.

16 years old are fine to camp by themsleves and I wouldnt worry about the drinking there. I always enjoy red camp site but I dont think it makes a massive difference.

[dancelittleliar]

Hi guys and gals

Me and my mates are coming to Leeds for the first time this year and need some information:

• as GCSE results day is the 22nd, would it be logistical for two of us to go down on the 21st (Wednesday) and set up all the tents, then on the Thursday the others will get their results in the morning ASAP and get the train down, swapping with me and the other guy. We would then try and get the train to MCR and get our resuts, then get back the same night, is this possible?
• Are 16 year olds generally alright camping alone?
• Which campsite is best at Leeds?
• what is the policy on <18s drinking? I know it is officially frowned upon, but are people more accepting in the festival?

[Gucci Piggy]

Last year was my first year camping and I was 16, just finished my last year of school, same as all my friends who came. We all either got our parents to ring us on Thursday morning with our results, or waited until we got home from the festival. (This resulted in the most tense, hung-over and awkward morning imaginable)

We were all perfectly fine, we had one 19 year old with us (my brother), but we would have been fine without him. We were in green campsite, which I think I'm right in saying is generally the quietest. It was enjoyable, but there were no times we felt threatened by violence or anything. (It may have helped that one of our group is a competing 'strong man', haha)

We had no trouble getting alcohol in, and it was all on show. Our back-up plan was to say that all of our 8-persons-worth of alcohol was just for my brother and we were helping him carry it in haha. But once you're inside, no one's going to bother you if you're drinking in the campsite, so don't worry about that. Obviously you won't get served at any bars though.

[robMUFC96]

okay great, thanks for getting back to me guys. One of my friends has an 19yo ID so we should be fine if questioned

Heard good things about the orange campsite, and am wondering whether it would be possible for only 2 of us with the early entry to set up the other tents for all our mates?

[W!NNER]

Yeah you can set up as many tents as you like pal. Also Orange is next to the fair & on a hill so i'd suggest you avoid it. I went Yellow last time I went & it's put me off ever going back to Leeds again. Try red or blue for a good experience but to be in a secure area

[Mouseboy11]

I'm pretty much going to be the same, year older though and at Reading. Was wondering about Alcohol..do they ID during bag searches at the entrance or anything? I know you can't really get any into the arena though.

[adam1234]

I went in 2008 when I was 19 and camped in orange and loved it. I will only camp in brown or green if there is no brown now though. I think orange is a good shout for a 16 year old try to stay a distance from the fair though if the noise will bother you as it goes on all through the night

[Gucci Piggy]

I'm pretty much going to be the same, year older though and at Reading. Was wondering about Alcohol..do they ID during bag searches at the entrance or anything? I know you can't really get any into the arena though.

[insideaway]

I tend to find if you have alot bags and walk thru at the same as someone who only has one or two bags and they will generally search the person with fewest bags.

[lharris92]

they do random searches and not on everyone, i suppose when its busy they do a few less as they want to get people through to keep queues down

[W!NNER]

Yeah i've noticed if your bag is rammed full, they have a quick feel of it & let you in.

[lharris92]

oh you'd be surprised, got searched last year and they fully went through every pocket and what not. people in front of us while waiting to get searched had a handheld mirror taken from them

also be aware IF they do the "free beer" crap again this year don't go to the 18+ one (stating the obvious here) because then they will try and id you or some bullcrap.

they will confiscate the booze from you if you get searched and then don't have id so be wary with how you take it in. have seen the piles of crates before which was madness - although a lot were glass bottles so that was understandable

[Andy0808 v3.0]

Only one tip

Bring aerosols and lighters. You'll need them.

[Zzzonked]

Camped in yellow last 2 years at reading and think its quality, unless you're one of those retards who pitches their tent literally next to the path and they get flooded, it's a bit louder but just makes for a better atmosphere imo

[Bisque]

Was wondering about Alcohol..do they ID during bag searches at the entrance or anything? I know you can't really get any into the arena though.

[2rare2die]

oh you'd be surprised, got searched last year and they fully went through every pocket and what not. people in front of us while waiting to get searched had a handheld mirror taken from them

also be aware IF they do the "free beer" crap again this year don't go to the 18+ one (stating the obvious here) because then they will try and id you or some bullcrap.

they will confiscate the booze from you if you get searched and then don't have id so be wary with how you take it in. have seen the piles of crates before which was madness - although a lot were glass bottles so that was understandable

[robMUFC96]

Okay thanks guys that's cleared a lot up

As for tents, should we go for a larger tent to sleep our entire group (5-9) or go for smaller 2-men tents?

[the wonderwhy]

If there's 9 of you going I'd go for individual tents (you can get them from Tesco for £15) so you can pitch them in a circle and have a communal area in the middle for drinking games etc.

[robMUFC96]

Okay thanks, will probably go with 5 2-man tents and pitch them in a star shaped area

[jonodillieono]

Good luck getting 2 people in a 2 man tent.

First year I went we had 2 people in a 4 man tent which was quite a tight squeeze but you should be fine.

[the wonderwhy]

Good luck getting 2 people in a 2 man tent.

First year I went we had 2 people in a 4 man tent which was quite a tight squeeze but you should be fine.

[robMUFC96]

Haha, will get 3-man ones if we have to

[evilduck]

I got ID'd once coming back in the white gate with my crates of cider, had stupidly left my ID at the tent (I'm 25) and had to give it to my mates younger brother to carry in for me. Mind you thats the only time I've ever been searched or ID'd coming into the campsite in all my years at Reading.

[ladbrokeboy]

last year when they were giving out the free drink i didnt have id (im 22) and they gave me it anyway, havent been id'd at the bars past three years from what i remember as i havent taken id any time. did get id'd for skins in 2011 on the sunday even though i hadnt shave in a week lol