T'is the season for festival fever and having decided back in the 80's that Glastonbury was becoming too big for my comfort I switched my attentions to the smaller and more 'up my street' festival that is W.O.M.A.D .. Not having been for a few years and being fortunate enough to know someone in the 'right'places .. we had tickets for this year's event at Charlton Park in Wiltshire...
Being not too far from the comforts of home, so did not require wrestling with yards of canvas and guy ropes, nor listening to the curious nocturnal sounds of 1000's of neighbours.
In fact we were lightweight festival goers this year and had a Sunday afternoon stroll along to W.O.M.A.D .. a wonderful alternative to watching Woodstock on DVD.
The world of music and dance... is just that and a great deal more..
It is a wonderful place for studying anthropology .. as all walks of life.. cults and fashions are contained in a large field full of the most wonderful music which comes together from all four corners of the globe ! When we arrived we were greeted by some rather tired and crumpled folk wheeling their temporary homes and chattels back to their cars in a convoy of wheelbarrows.. These were gentle folk of all ages.. I saw babes in arms to grandmothers milling around the festival family ... which made me feel most reassured and content...
This event is for everyone.. and all come together to have a jolly and peaceful weekend listening to sublime music.. eating a veritable feast of global food.. I myself tucked into a big bowl of noodles with tempura vegetables...
It was utterly scrumptious.. and followed by an equally tasty Italian hazelnut ice-cream..
We saw a whole host of colourful costumes..from bearded man in a dress, William Tell on his day off ..
Fairies of all sizes and gender, fishnets and top hats, African cloaks of many colours, hats of every description .. In fact fairies were well catered for with a stall selling new wings.. just in case some were lost! 
Where else could you find a hand crafted musical instrument next to a hat with horns.. maybe W.O.M.A.D should stand for.. world of madness and diversity. One thing is for sure.. we will return next year for more fun and frivolity!
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Away with the fairies ...
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9 comments:
I used to love WOMAD when it was in Reading so just up the road from me then. Much more civilised strolling in rather than braving the overnight facilities. The last time I went I met Paul McGann who a friend adored so his signed book was a treat for her 40th.
X
Gosh I'm still reeling that Bobo Bun met Paul McGann!!!!! Now Dottie I really think that next year you should be struggling with the guy ropes and canvas, would love to see it, fairy wings and all! Perhaps we could share some of that ice cream and noodles around the old campfire... (just looked at the weather forecast it seems that Miss Roses will be needing her wellies and waterproof mascara this weekend ..).
Mx
this made me chuckle when i read the title as today i am wearing a green away with the fairies tshirt from fairy love!!! their fairy poo is a lovely gift for fairy fans!!
Another Fairylove wearer here - except my Away With the Fairies t-shirt is black! Also have their stickers on my bike.
Can't beat a good festival - Latitude is our one of choice. I love the whole vibe - the camping, the dressing up and of course the chance to bump into a famous face or two (see my blog for a post on our recent festival trip ;) ).
I love festivals but like you prefer the smaller, family friendly ones. I adored Latitude this year and we are going to brave Vintage at Goodwood without the children, gasp!!
I'm not a great lover of fesitvals & I've never been to Glastonbury. I did scooter rallies in my youth but never really enjoyed the whole camping thing.
We did go to Beautiful Days a few years ago but it was rained off....lucky we stayed at my parents which is 15 mins walk! I think they should sell day tickets as it's really expensive for the whole weekend. Watchet is a good one with day tickets, went there last year...very small & friendly. x
Wish I could have been there -it looks amazing! I love festivals and people watching is my favourite part. x
Ooh ooh it looks brilliant, love all those flags fluttering on the breeze.
One thing troubling me, were you dressed as a fairy? I do hope so! tee hee,
Love Sarah x
How did I miss this post? (might have had something to do with the fact that one of my boys had trashed the PC while we were away!!) see you there next year. XX PS the man in the dress (who you may have spotted) seemed to follow us around all weekend!
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