Festival goers come together to make Penn Festival a success, despite the mud

1:30pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in News By Rebecca Cain

Festival goers enjoy the mud at Penn Festival. Photo by Robert Lewis Festival goers enjoy the mud at Penn Festival. Photo by Robert Lewis

THE weather threatened to cancel Penn Festival at the weekend but organisers say everyone pulled together to make it a community event.

The public car parks were shut due to torrential rain and a free shuttle bus service was provided from Cressex park and ride at Handy Cross.

Organisers Manjit Jaspal and Nick Billinghurst said it was probably the toughest weekend of their lives as they struggled to keep the event going.

Manjit said: "We were faced with enormous challenges and it was touch and go on whether we cancelled the event. We did not want to disappoint people who had bought tickets and decided to go ahead.

"We couldn't have done it without the support of Chiltern District Council who worked with us throughout the weekend to keep the event open."

Headliners included Snap and Soul II Soul.

The site at The Big Park in Horsemoor Lane in Penn Street was thick with mud.

But festival goers went on the event's Facebook page to say what a great weekend it was.

Neil Wood commented: "Well done - we have never been to festival as family and our kids together with our friends all loved it, we camped both nights and just got on with it! Everyone was happy and bands were superb (please next year make sure showers work though!!) Overall brilliant!"

And Sarah Budd said: "We had a great time on Saturday, very muddy, but hey...fab music and so well organised!! Will definitely be back next year, so let's hope the sun will be too!! Well done to all the organisers."

Manjit added: "We were humbled by the support and kindness of everyone who got involved in keeping the event going - from the local farmers who worked into the early hours towing vehicles off site, to the army of volunteers and festival goers who performed incredible acts of kindness to keep the festival alive.

"In the end, it became a community event where everyone pulled together to work as a team. We are deeply appreciative and thrilled so many turned up and enjoyed the weekend."

Comments (5)

3:25pm Tue 10 Jul 12

realist_highwycombe says...

Well done to all concerned in making the festival a success. I think I might give it a go next year - I was tempted this year but if I'm honest I wimp out when it comes to mud!!!
Well done to all concerned in making the festival a success. I think I might give it a go next year - I was tempted this year but if I'm honest I wimp out when it comes to mud!!! realist_highwycombe

4:41pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Bookermum says...

First festival that I've even taken the kids too, an they had a good time!!
Few improvements for next year ... Not so long of a gap between acts
... Removal of drugs (mostly of the smoking kind) at the entrance!
... Boards down for the whole path, not a huge gap in the middle!
... All food outlets open :-/
Well done for being able to keep the festival going!! Was enjoyed by all (even if I am still washing mu from everything)
First festival that I've even taken the kids too, an they had a good time!! Few improvements for next year ... Not so long of a gap between acts ... Removal of drugs (mostly of the smoking kind) at the entrance! ... Boards down for the whole path, not a huge gap in the middle! ... All food outlets open :-/ Well done for being able to keep the festival going!! Was enjoyed by all (even if I am still washing mu from everything) Bookermum

5:06pm Tue 10 Jul 12

skippy the hippy says...

lots of fun was had by us.yep of course the mud meant there where delays and some bands missing so there where gaps but when you have that much mud to play in who cares.most family friendly festy ever been too in over 30 years .well done to all involved see you next year for more of the same .
lots of fun was had by us.yep of course the mud meant there where delays and some bands missing so there where gaps but when you have that much mud to play in who cares.most family friendly festy ever been too in over 30 years .well done to all involved see you next year for more of the same . skippy the hippy

8:41pm Tue 10 Jul 12

wycombeboy says...

I didn't go this year but will do my best to go next year. Sounds like a great weekend.
I didn't go this year but will do my best to go next year. Sounds like a great weekend. wycombeboy

5:10pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Ruby Moon says...

Well done to Manjit, Nick and everyone else who managed to make this event a memorable one. We had a great weekend, enjoyed the music, met some lovely people, and managed to get our stall and stock home relatively un-muddy!
Looking forward to some sunshine next year. :-)
Well done to Manjit, Nick and everyone else who managed to make this event a memorable one. We had a great weekend, enjoyed the music, met some lovely people, and managed to get our stall and stock home relatively un-muddy! Looking forward to some sunshine next year. :-) Ruby Moon

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