DEER SHED FESTIVAL 3 

Put on by a family for the family with old-fashioned hospitality at its heart 

Headlined by Saint Etienne, Villagers and Cherry Ghost 

Weekend tickets just £69 

July 20th – 22nd 2012

Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire

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The Deer Shed Festival family know it can be the small things that make or break a festival experience – hours of car park tailbacks, nothing for the kids to do when they’ve woken up early or stewards unable to point people in the right direction. When Oliver and Kate Jones decided to put on their first festival in 2010, getting the little things right was going to be just as important as a line-up of bands to reflect their record collection. From year one, an easy arrival, catering for the needs of each guest no matter what age and good old fashioned hospitality was as key as booking bands they love to see live. Thinking about what they like and want when they go to a festival, listening to audience feedback and most importantly, passing the Jones Children Approval Panel (which generally takes place over tea) has meant each year, Deer Shed Festival has added to the finishing touches that make the weekend such a lovely place to be for all the family. 

In 2012 getting set up at Deer Shed Festival will be a breeze. Just off the A1, with easy parking and Mr Trolley on hand for those wanting to rent some ground transportation for the weekend, families will quickly be pitching their tents while ticket exchange teams roam the campsite wrist-banding guests. For those choosing to come by train, a limited shuttle service will run from Thirsk station which is only a couple of hours from London and Edinburgh. An army of stewards, scouts and volunteers will be on hand all weekend to assist with everything from tent pitching to locating workshops. Clothed in tangerine t-shirts, these Assistance Officers/Comfort Facilitators/Help Technicians (but most importantly, friendly faces) take customer service very seriously! Many come to the festival with their own families and know what it’s like to have kids in tow and how far a little bit of help can go. 

Welfare has a home in the actual deer shed on site – changing facilities, a microwave to heat food and a nursing area means even the newest mums and youngest family members are looked after. The Deer Shed Dining Hall comes equipped with high chairs and for the first time there will be refreshments in the campsite available – including breakfast delivery to tents! Sellers roving the campsite will be offering pastries from the Thomas’ of York bakery. At the end of a fun-filled day, after the campsite storyteller has worked some magic and children are asleep in the family camping area, the late-night cocktail and hot cider bar for the grown-ups comes to life. For adults sneaking in during the day, there’ll be table service. A wide variety of food vendors and drink will be available in the Main Arena including pizza cooked in a converted steam train oven, more veggie options than previous years and just three quid for a pint of beer. To keep festival goers feeling their best, homeopaths can remedy their ills. Showers will be trialled at Deer Shed Festival this year and there will be a higher than average ratio of large size loos to make it easier for families needing to take their little ones in. Plus eco loos to help the festival do its bit for the environment. 

Deer Shed Festival allows children to roam and spread their wings while their parents take a break from everyday life and get back to what’s important – hanging out with their loved ones having fun. With tickets selling faster this year than before, it’s easy to see why this family-friendly festival in North Yorkshire has struck a chord. 

Shortlisted for the Best Family-Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2011, this is an independent festival run by a family for the family. The Deer Shed Festival team book bands they love, work with like-minded people, keep it chilled, don’t squeeze a thousand tents into a field the size of a postage stamp and don’t charge a fortune. Taking place over the first weekend of the school holidays, a family of four can attend for less than £200. 

*** MUSIC BILL ***

Saint Etienne, Villagers, Cherry Ghost, Los Campesinos!, Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny, Dutch Uncles, School Of Seven Bells, Human Don’t Be Angry, Cashier No 9, Janice Graham Band, Treetop Flyers, Club Smith, Moody Gowns, The Staves, Paul Thomas Saunders, Woodenbox, Laki Mera, AKÏŸDK, Washington Irving, The Glendale Family, Tupelo, Rachel Sermanni, We Were Evergreen, Ellen and the Escapades, The Lost Brothers, Rae Morris, Pale Seas, Arthur Rigby & The Baskervylles, Gary Stewart, Pip Mountjoy, Sam Airey, R M Hubbert, Monument Valley, Beccy Owen, Boat To Row and Serious Sam Barrett 

*** ARTS BILL ***

Cinema from the National Media Museum, guerrilla theatre courtesy of The Flanagan Collective, spoken word sessions by authors Dave Simpson and Dorian Lynskey, family poetry workshops led by James Priestman, The Greentop Circus Cabaret in the Big Top, Best Joined Up graffiti artists mixing classic street styles with fine art, artist blacksmith David Stephenson creating bespoke jewellery, Spike & Sponge’s Sunday Market full of arts and crafts from local Yorkshire artists, Spray Creations creating artwork in the blink of an eye, master illusionist Harris III and more 

*** ACTIVITIES ***

Animation and video sessions from Teeside University, Matt Pattinson’s four towering Doodle Walls, Dr Frankenstein’s DIY Monster Project from Eureka! The National Children's Museum, workshops in everything from comedy to cardboard monster creating to calligraphy, bedtime story-telling, face painting, swing balls (not just any swing balls – unique, customised, locally made, reinforced swing balls and a whole field of them), paintball art guns, an exotic animal extravaganza (over 40 snakes, spiders, lizards, massive toads and some furry things), bush craft lessons and a stack of sports 

And not to forget the all-important theme...

Following on from last year’s Sky At Night theme, in 2012 Deer Shed Festival is all about going big for scary, mythological, fairy tale, imaginary (or are they?), cuddly, extraordinary MONSTERS! 

Tickets are available now through TICKETLINE

 

Adult Saturday & Sunday only ticket (16+)                            £59

Adult weekend ticket (16+)                                                £69

Child weekend ticket (6+)                                                  £20

Child weekend ticket (5 and under)                                     FREE*

Weekend campervan/caravan/trailer pass                             £15 

* Please note children under five will require a FOC ticket obtained through the ticket sales outlet.