Guernsey Press

Together Festival may become a weekender

GUERNSEY TOGETHER festival could run across two days next year over a bank holiday weekend.

Published
The organiser of the Guernsey Together Festival 2022 is hopeful that next year’s event can take place over two days before the late May bank holiday Monday. (Picture By Peter Frankland, 30873431)

Organiser Alex Lock said Saturday's event had gone well in glorious weather and they had received constructive criticism that would allow them to improve the event next year.

‘The first year [2021] went reasonably well but this year we were a lot less stressed,’ he said.

‘With the bank holiday next year we are hoping to get the Sunday as well. It wouldn’t be as big as the Saturday and the hours would be reduced.’

But camping onsite is unlikely to be on offer.

Clean up efforts have been in full swing since the festival closed, clearing infrastructure and rubbish left on the site.

Last year about 3,500 people attended, but this year 5,000 tickets were sold. Mr Lock said they were comfortable with the number remaining the same next year.

‘It wasn’t busy enough for everyone to be squashed together – people weren’t packed in like sardines,’ said Mr Lock.

Some visitors said more toilets were needed in the children’s area and disabled parking spaces should be put in place.

‘We’d like to have designated disabled parking to make it more accessible for blue badge holders.’

Mr Lock said there were no major issues at the festival and only minor problems arose from people having too much to drink.

Installing water refill stations at the site, much needed during the heat and sunshine on Saturday, would be ideal but difficult to implement, he said.

‘We’d like to have water stations but there is no mains water. Maybe next year we will be structuring our priorities differently and operationally might make some changes.’

Bottled water was still available to buy from the bars.

Yesterday Mr Lock planned on walking round the lanes and paths surrounding the Rabbit Warren site, off Victoria Avenue, to ensure that any litter left over had been removed.