We told you not to forget to bring your suncream!

A Big Thank You to all the artists, traders, staff and crew who made the 2010 Acoustic Festival so successfull. with a special thanks to the Racecourse staff.
And of course a massive thanks to all of you who bought tickets to help stage the event, and then came along to bring it all alive and create a very special atmosphere.
See you all again in 2011. Mike, Rob and the whole Festival Crew

THOUSANDS of music lovers from across the country have descended on Uttoxeter to enjoy the early summer weather and some top class music.

The Acoustic Festival of Britain, saw top music stars such as Donovan, The Levellers and Sandi Thom wow the crowds during the three-day event. Uttoxeter Racecourse was bathed in sunshine and enjoyed soaring temperatures as it hosted the festival for the first time. The event received rave reviews from townsfolk who praised the music and the organisation of the weekend.
Festival goer Paul Rhodes told the Advertiser: “I would just like to say what a fabulous weekend at Uttoxeter racecourse. Great weather, a brilliant atmosphere, great music and no trouble. I hope that Uttoxeter embraces this event to make sure that it returns again and again. An event like this on a regular basis can only be good for Uttoxeter, putting our town on the map. Whoever thought that Uttoxeter would play host to the well known artists we had. Well done to the organisers let’s have another one sometime soon.”
Town and borough councillor, and former Uttoxeter Mayor, Howard Grigg was also at the event and said he ‘couldn’t praise it enough’. “I would like to congratulate the racecourse; to put on such an event with in excess of 8,500 people over a weekend was outstanding. They handled everything expertly. I can’t praise them enough, they did a fantastic job and I don’t think anyone would say otherwise. It is something we should encourage. It was absolutely brilliant.”
David MacDonald, the general manager of Uttoxeter Racecourse said he wanted to hold the event at the Wood Lane venue again and to make it ‘bigger and better’ next year. He said: “It went really well. The atmosphere was fantastic really laid-back and family friendly. There wasn’t a hint of trouble.
“The local community and our neighbours supported it fantastically, people were even coming out of the houses in Wood Lane and asking us to turn it up but obviously we had to stick to guidelines. It is definitely something I would like to do again and I would like to make it bigger and better."
“I would like to thank the council, the police and the local community — particularly our neighbours who’ve been great. I heard that Tesco had to bring in more staff and Wetherspoons was packed out so it was a fantastic event for the whole town.”

2010 Review to be uploaded shortly

Now in its 5th year  The Acoustic Festival of Britain has chosen the market town of Uttoxeter to base its 3 day event which has developed into a prestigious and relaxed family occasion for all generations.
Many of the aged hippy generation will welcome  60’s legend Donovan, now a patron of the festival,  heading the Saturday line up of folk stars that include Kate Rusby and her band & Barbara Dickson OBE. 

The Blues Band head a blues fuelled Friday that includes world music guitar legend Pierre Bensusan and  cult slide guitar bluesman Papa George, now a regular on Jools Holland show.

Sunday lunch time sees a special performance from The Hamsters in an MTV unplugged style masterclass tribute to celebrate the 40th year since the death of Jimi Henrix. In the evening the Levellers, stalwarts of roots music and festival champions for over 20 years, close the weekend in triumphant style. The startling reality of getting the one time Glastonbury headliners playing in this little market town of Staffordshire is only just begining to sink in.

The festive blend of bluegrass and Gypsy Jazz gives a footstomping feel to the weekend with favourites The Coal Porters, 3Daft Monkeys, Ezio and guitar supremos Gypsy Fire blazing the underground trail.

Other highlights to look for include the chart topping Sandi Thom and band, with her new delta blues sound & Edinburgh Festival award winning Patti Plinko and her boy on Friday night.
European Folk instrumentalists of the year The Monster Ceilidh Band and mad cap ex-Sex Pistol Ed Tenpole Tudor of Crystal Maze fame both play on Sunday.

An amazing 28 Balimino Belly dancing females perform and do workshops on Saturday whilst the Azuzu Tribal dancers take to the town on Friday.

2010 sees the return of
The Floating Lotus Dome Stage

4 stages of entertainment and dozens of crafts and food tents together with a huge real ale tent over 200ft long, with a stage powered by bicycles, so if you want a bit of excersise at the festival, hop on board and help power the stage.
Childrens entertainments and professional soccer coaches from a championship team feature over the weekend too.

One major attraction to this event over the past 4 years has been the thought behind on site facilities, the provision of flushing loos, wash hand basins and hot showers. A most refreshing change to what is usually associated with festivals!. Such thoughts have encouraged generations who once frequented festivals and carnivals in their earlier years back as attendees. Your never to old !!
We note the caravan club park is full throughout, so caravans are now sited in non ‘hook up areas. And customers staying for 2 days have their own camp over area in the car parks. Day tickets from £25 per adult are very good quality for 15 artists per day with children under 10 free

Ideally located in Central England, set in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside the olde worlde Racecourse boasts stunning views and easy access on the A50 trunk road linking the M1 and M6. Uttoxeter Railway Station is conveniently situated and is just a 1 minute walk away.

May Fest is a 3 Day music festival with camping and an eclectic programme of Unplugged and Acoustic music from the genres of Folk, Roots, Celtic, Blues, Pop, Rock, Ska, Burlesque and much more

A great family event, with 4 stages,
Craft Stalls & Displays,
Juggling Schools
Drumming & Guitar Workshops
Soccer Workshops, Yoga Classes,
Pixies, Dragons, Story Telling & Comedy

This year also sees Rockhopper Studios at the festival where artists and the public can make their own recordings. They even supply the instruments

Zazu Tribal Dancing, Belly Dancing, Morris Dancing

Face Painting - Stilt Walkers

And expect to see many other strange sights around the festival

Real Ale Beer Tent, & Exotic Foods,

Camping is available on site,with
Posh Loos and Showers,
along with a Caravan/Camper Van site

Or why not hire a luxurySoulPad or	a Yurt. in our Camping Village

To Book one of these please contact SoulPads or Cloudhouses Yurts & Squrts Direct

We support the Charity

CHANCE helps deprived families in the Third World to help themselves by providing educational support to allow their children a CHANCE in life.

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