Final Newsletter

May 4, 2015 5:54 pm

This our last newsletter before the gates open.

This newsletter contains general information to ensure everyone is happy and safe. Please note that disabled applications have now closed. For full information about this year’s festival please go to our General Information Page on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Catton Park and we wish you all a safe journey.

Bearded Theory Team

Ticket Distribution

Ticketsellers will be emailing E-Tickets at some point this week. If your tickets have not arrived by the weekend please contact the relevant ticket agent directly.Tickets are now being posted out and you should have your tickets from See Tickets or Louder Than War by the end of this week.

Drop Off Point

This year we are operating a pick up and drop off point for all campers. The drop off point will be clearly labelled DROP OFF POINT on the AA signage. We expect that once you have emptied your vehicle to park your car in the public car park i.e. BLUE ROUTE. If you have friends or family with you ask them to wait with your equipment or let them head on to set up camp.

Please do not leave your car in the drop off area while you go to set up your camp and this area will be managed to ensure this does not happen. Please note that this year there are steps coming from the car park into the public camping which might be difficult for large trollies. With that in mind use the Drop Off Point wisely.

The Drop Off point is located prior to getting into the general wristband exchange. The Drop Off point is only a few seconds walk (literally) to get into family camping and around 5 minutes’ walk from the other campsites.

You might have to wait until there is space for your car in the Drop Off area, so please be a bit patient.

Approved Taxi Firm

Swad Cars are insured and have a licensed office on the Bearded Theory site.Bearded Theory have teamed up with Swad Cars, who will be the only taxi company to have an approved taxi rank onsite. We were concerned last year whereby unlicensed taxis were touting for business outside of the festival and we needed to address this issue. Swad Cars will have a rank located by the pickup and drop off point and you can order your taxi in advance by calling 01283 262626.

Opening Hours

Gates open at 2pm on Thursday 21st May and 09:00 Friday 22nd May for all weekend ticket holders. Gates close at 8pm on Thursday for entry/re-entry, 9pm Friday & Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. Please do not arrive prior to the gate opening times.

Music will start around 4pm on Thursday in the Something Else Big Top and at around 12 noon on the Friday across all stages.

Tent Thieves

Bearded Theory is a safe place to come to. Unfortunately, as with any popular event, there is always a tiny minority who don’t come just to enjoy themselves. In 2014 we had 12 reported tent thefts but we are committed to reducing this. The measures we had in place last year resulted in one of the culprits being caught and reported to the Police. We will be implementing the same measures, and more in 2015.

We will have a campsite security office. In addition there will be campsite security patrols as well as decoy tents with CCTV cameras. Undercover and uniformed Police will also be onsite for the duration.

Whilst we are trying our hardest to reduce onsite crime, we need you to help. Please keep any valuables you have to bring with you at all times. Make sure they are somewhere safe, and close to you especially when you are in bed. Better still use the lockers provided. We have subsidised lockers onsite where you can deposit your valuables for £10 for the whole weekend. These are located in the middle of the campsite. Do not withdraw large amounts of cash, withdraw daily amounts from the cash point in the arena. It might charge you a couple of quid a time but it is better paying that than losing £20+ to a thief.

We will be using security dogs for your safety. The reason doe doing this is that dogs can track someone’s smell regardless of where they hide. This is handy as our security team cannot see in the dark despite eating plenty of carrots.

Anyone caught stealing, or attempting to steal, will be reported to the Police and to the Association of Independent Festivals, to prevent them going to other events and doing the same. If you see anyone acting suspiciously please report it immediately and do not wait until the morning.

Cash Points

We have cash points on-site and they will be located next to the bar in the Main Arena.

Pre-pay Programmes

We will have a collection point by the main Wristband exchange on Thursday and Friday for people that purchased their programme online. Please bring the proof of purchase documentation with you.

Pre Pay Lockers

The lockers are located in the main campsite. Please bring the proof of purchase documentation with you.

Directions

Please ensure you follow the correct AA signage according to your routing pass.

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR SAT NAV WHEN APPROACHING THE FESTIVAL SITE, FOLLOW THE AA ROUTING SIGNS DUE TO A NARROW BRIDGE IN WALTON UPON TRENT.
From the West or South (a): From the M5 (from the West) or the M40 (from London ), take the M42 Northbound. Between Junctions 8 and 9 take the M6 toll road and exit at T4 onto the A38 Northbound. Follow AA roadsigns which will exit you at the Alrewas / Rugely / Tamworth A513 turnoff. Follow the signs to the festival.From the North: Follow the M1 Southbound and exit onto the A38 at Junction 28, heading West for Burton / Birmingham. Keep travelling until you pick up the AA road signs, which will exit you at the Alrewas / Rugely / Tamworth A513 turnoff. Follow the signs to the festival.

From the South (b): Take the M1 from London , and exit at Juntion 24, following the A50 to Stoke. After a few miles you will exit onto the A38 to Burton. Follow the BAA road signs which will exit you at the Alrewas / Rugely / Tamworth A513 turnoff. Follow the signs to the festival.

Ticket Terms and Conditions

Please ensure you know the terms of conditions of entry before arriving to Bearded Theory.

  • Tickets cannot be exchanged, refunded, or returned after purchase.
  • The right of admission is reserved.
  • Management reserve the right to alter or, in the event of adverse weather conditions, to curtail or cancel the performance.
  • Lost tickets will not be replaced.
  • No animals permitted on site.
  • No glass allowed on site.
  • Strictly no fireworks or fires on site.
  • There will be no refund in event of cancellation.
  • Management reserve the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists and to vary the programme if necessary.
  • The festival will operate a challenge 25 system to prevent underage drinking.
  • Bearded Theory will not be responsible for any loss or damage to personal items.
  • No unauthorised sound systems are allowed on site.
  • Gates open at 2pm on Thursday 21st May for standard weekend ticket holders.
  • All vehicles are liable to be searched, and must be parked in designated areas as directed by traffic marshals.
  • Vehicles parked on the public highway will be towed away.
  • No day tickets are available.
  • Gates shut strictly for entry & re-entry at 8pm Thursday 21st, 9pm Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd and 7pm Sunday 24th.
  • Anyone that is caught with a controlled substance will be reported to the Police immediately.
  • Adult ticket price includes £30 camping fee. Child ticket price does not include a camping fee.
  • Ticket holders consent to inclusion in photographic, visual and audio promotion of the festival.
  • Ticket price includes admission fee of £10.00 to the park.
  • “Chinese lanterns” are not permitted and will be confiscated.
  • No open fires and disposable BBQs are permitted at festival.
  • Unauthorised alcohol sales are prohibited and will result in eviction.
  • ALL child ticket holders must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian.
  • Child weekend tickets are for anyone within the specified age range on 21/05/2015.
  • All young adults (aged 11 to 17) MUST camp in the same area as their families with a maximum of 2 teens per adult (over the age of 25).
  • Cars are not permitted in the Live in Vehicle field at the 2015 festival unless they are towing a caravan.
  • The Live in Vehicle field is only available to standard campervans, caravans and converted vans only.
  • Campervans (not caravans) are allowed a small 2 man tent alongside your vehicle for children/guests OR a small awning.
  • If the weather is wet, ground conditions in some areas will be puddled or muddy. We urge you to be prepared. Wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the conditions. Move through any areas of wet ground or mud with extra caution.

Legal Highs = Unknown Outcome

If you don’t know what it is, then the likelihood is that the paramedics won’t know either. Please don’t take the riskThe horrible people that make these things do not care about the consumer and we have friends that organise a small festival and they had 2 people die at their festival because of taking these things. We know how they felt after this happened and we don’t want to be put in that position.

If anyone is caught in possession of legal highs they will be asked to leave.

BBQs

There have been a number of tragic deaths nationally from carbon monoxide poisoning linked to the use of barbecues within tents, camping structures and caravans.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Levels of the gas can build up very quickly to levels that can make someone unwell or result in a fatality.

Approximately 4,000 people attending Accident and Emergency each year are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. When CO enters the body it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues and organs. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. CO can kill quickly, in minutes, without warning and even low levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to health.

Campers have lost their lives after taking lit barbecues into tents or caravans for warmth.

A lit or smouldering barbecue should never be taken into a tent, tent awning, camping pod, caravan or campervan.

Similarly portable gas stoves are not designed to be used inside such structures. They should be kept clean, in good working order and should only be used outside in a suitably ventilated area.

It is tempting to move cooking equipment inside when the weather is poor, but this can quickly lead to a potentially deadly build-up of poisonous gas.

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to carbon monoxide fumes should seek medical advice immediately.

Where can I find advice on CO?

For further information see Gas Safe web page on BBQ safety.

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