Womad

Read on for information on Parking, Disabled Facilities, Site Information and Opening Hours.

PARKING

Car Parks

Free parking is available to all ticket holders. There are separate sections for Weekend, Accessible, Campervan and Day Parking. Due to Health & Safety legislation, cars and tents will be separated but you should be able to park within a reasonable distance of your camping spot. The car park is divided into numbered sections to help you locate your vehicle easily.

• For Weekend Parking follow signs for Red Gate
• For Accessible Parking follow signs for Red Gate
• For Campervan Parking follow signs for Red Gate
• For Day Parking follow signs for Purple Gate
• For Box Office pick ups follow signs for Purple Gate

Bicycles

Bicycles can be left securely in the Campers Lock-Up in the campsite. There is a charge of £1 per item for this service.

Leaving On Monday

If you are leaving by car between the hours of 10am and 2pm on Monday, please note that you may be subject to delays in getting off site. Please ensure that you leave plenty of time for your journey, and have some provisions in your car.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Disabled Camping Area

There is a dedicated campsite available for disabled campers within the main festival campsite. This is located as near as possible to the festival arena. In order to comply with Health and Safety regulations, vehicles must be separate from tents and will be parked in the Disabled car park next to the camping area. Please ask a steward to direct you on arrival.

There are Disabled toilet and shower facilities and electricity for charging points in this field. We can be supportive of other specific needs but cannot guarantee to meet them. Please let us know your needs when booking and we will let you know if we can help.

Please note that space is limited in this field so you MUST book in advance for a space. To make sure that these facilities are freely available to those who genuinely need them, please help by ensuring that the number of non-disabled campers in your group is kept to a maximum of four members of immediate family, friends and personal assistants.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to guarantee a camping space in this area you must pre-book. This is so that we know in advance how many people will be camping in this area and can make sure we provide adequate facilities and space.

To book a space in the Disabled Camping area, please call WOMAD on 0845 146 1735 or email sales@womadshop.com.

Wheelchair Access

Most of the site is accessible by wheelchair, but is uneven and muddy in places.

Disabled Toilets

Available in the festival arena and in the Disabled Camping area.

Disabled Showers

Available in the Disabled Camping area, and at the Red Cross which is located near World Of Kids.

Viewing Platforms

Situated in front of the main stages for wheelchair users and other disabled people who need to use them. You will need to be wearing a Viewing Platform wristband in order to access the platform (see below). The capacity on the platforms is very limited so only one carer/assistant can accompany each disabled person using it. Stewards can assist with finding suitable vantage points at all stages.

Wheelchair Battery Recharging

Electric charge points will be located in the Recharge Tent, located at the entrance/exit of the Disabled camping area.

Wheelchair/Scooter Hire

Electric scooters and manual wheelchairs can be hired at the festival from Fair Mobility. For more information or to pre-book, please contact Fair Mobility directly on 01949 845 189 or via www.fair-mobility.org.uk.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are allowed on site.

Medicine Storage

The Red Cross can store medicines that need to be refrigerated. They are located near World Of Kids.

BSL Interpreters

BSL interpreters will be available free of charge for individual bookings for workshops and stage signing on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask at the Information Tent on arrival for information on how to book.

Disabled Wristbands

If you have booked a space in the Disabled Camping area, on arrival at the festival you will receive a Disabled wristband. This wristband gives access to the whole festival, plus the Disabled Camping area. If you have not booked a space in the Disabled Camping area you will be issued a standard festival wristband on arrival and will only have access to the general camping areas.

Viewing Platform Wristbands

There is a voluntary Viewing Platform wristbanding system for wheelchair-users and those who have difficulty standing for long periods. This wristband enables disabled festival-goers (plus one assistant) to be able to access the Viewing Platforms and to identify themselves to stewards or security staff when the need arises or in an emergency. These wristbands are available from the Oxfam Stewards office at the entrance to the Disabled Camping Area. Please note that if the platforms become overcrowded, assistants will be asked to give priority to disabled festival-goers.

Information In Alternative Formats

To receive information in digital or large print prior to the festival, please email info@womad.org or fax 01225 743 481 and give your contact details, stating whether you would prefer to receive information through the post or by email (Microsoft Word or plain text).

SITE INFORMATION

Site Map

Lost Property

Wiltshire Police are looking after all items that were handed in over the festival weekend at Charlton Park.

The Police will be at the Hangar, where they are based on-site, until approximately midday on Monday.

After that all remaining items will be taken to Melksham Police Station. The Found Property Clerk can be contacted on 01225 703 266 or via the general switchboard for Melksham Police Station on 0845 408 655 7000.

Information at the Festival

There is a central Information Tent at the festival where staff will try to answer queries and provide information about programme changes, site information, train and bus times, taxi numbers, local dentists, doctors, etc. A large notice board will be available for personal messages. There is a Comments Book here and we welcome your feedback. In addition, there will be several smaller Information Points around the site providing information about the programme, site info and a message board.

Traders - Food and Shopping

There are over 250 food, drink and merchandise traders on the festival site, as well as 5 bars. For day-to-day provisions and essentials there will be a number of competitively-priced general stores.

Cashpoint Machines

Cashpoint machines will be located by the arena entrance, near to the BBC Radio 3 Stage. There is a £2.50 charge and a maximum withdrawl of £260 per transaction.

Radio WOMAD - 87.7FM

For the first time this year, the Charlton Park audience can listen to the sounds of Radio WOMAD - the festival's very own station, which will be broadcasting within 20 miles of the festival site from midday on Wednesday 23 July and continuing around the clock until Monday 28 July. There'll be music, exclusive interviews and live sessions with festival performers, competitions, reviews and thoughts from the audience, plus important updates about the festival site and programme; so don't forget to bring along a FM radio and tune in to 87.7FM!

Wi-Fi Network

Wi-Fi access will be available at the festival. There is a £5 charge for the weekend - £2 of which goes to Unicef, £2 goes to the WOMAD Foundation and £1 covers administration costs. Vouchers can be bought from the WOMAD Shop - please see site map for location.

Shuttle bus to Malmesbury town

There is a shuttle bus from the festival to Malmesbury town centre should you wish to visit the attractions and shops there. This will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The timetable is as follows:

FROM	TO	DEPARTS
WOMAD	Malmesbury	10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15, 18:45
Malmesbury	WOMAD	11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30

The journey will take roughly 10 minutes and will cost £1 each way.

All pick-up and drop-offs at the festival site will be made at the Garden Centre.

All pick-up and drop-offs in Malmesbury will be made at the Malmesbury X Hayes car park, which is close to the library.

Respect The Site

Our beautiful site is home to an abundance of fantastic trees, shrubs and wildlife. We aim to leave it in the same condition that we found it in and you can help us do that. Please use the toilets provided not hedges, ditches or streams. Do not climb the trees. Don't litter/go in the Lake - it is a nature reserve. Use eco-friendly products when washing. Dispose of all litter in the relevant recycling points. Respect any wildlife - don't scare them. Do not start fires.

Litter & Recycling

Please help us to keep the beautiful site clean and tidy and recycle as much as possible. There are plenty of recycling points around the site - please use them and dispose of your litter in the correct bin. You will be given recycling sacks to use when you arrive to use in the campsite. If you require extra sacks you can visit the Campers Lock-up. Please make sure you dispose of your cigarette ends in a litterbin or a specially-designed ButtsOut box which are available from various outlets across the festival site.

Toilets

There are plenty of toilets on site, all emptied and cleaned regularly over the weekend by a dedicated hygiene team.

Found/Lost Children

There is a space provided on children's wristbands to write your mobile number or vehicle registration, we recommend that you do this.

If you have lost your child please report it first to the on-site Police or any security/steward. All found children will be looked after in the Found/Lost Children tent, which provides experienced childcare.

The Found/Lost Children tent is not an unofficial crèche. If your child is left in the care of the Found/Lost Children team for an inordinate length of time or on multiple occasions, the Police could be legally obliged to report this occurrence to child protection agencies.

The Police Unit

Wiltshire Police have a 24-hour unit in the Main Arena and will be happy to deal with any police-related matters.

Security & Stewards

Our security team and stewards are easily identified. Oxfam stewards wear orange or yellow and orange tabards with Oxfam written on them. Security wear hi-viz tabards with their security ID card on display.

Crime Prevention Advice

We are often asked about how we plan to tackle the modern festival plague of tent thefts, and even though last year's festival saw the level of crime drop to more than half that of our last year at Rivermead, we continue to work hard to achieve our aim of zero crime and to maintain our reputation as a safe family festival.

We have worked closely with Wiltshire Police to plan for this year's event and we will be: employing extra security staff and Police officers; liasing with Police forces around the country to identify known criminals who operate at festivals and may attend Charlton Park; increasing the number of covert security and Police officers in the campsite; erecting dummy tents across the campsite and observing them; employing night-vision equipment; utilising more CCTV cameras as this is how last year's offenders were caught; basing a Crime Prevention team in the campsite, who will be able advise people.

We know that almost all tent thefts occur on Thursday night and are organised by small gangs who have bought tickets to the festival. The first night is clearly targeted as people are most likely to have more money on them then, but people should remain vigilant throughout the whole weekend.

And don't forget that there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you don't become a victim of crime: leave high value items at home and deposit them in the Camper's Lock-up if you must bring them; get to know the people in the tents around you and keep man eye out for each other; place a tag on the outside your tent to identify it - if someone is caught, they will typically say it is their tent, but if they don't know the name or ID on the tag this may help the Police to detain them; place valuable items in your sleeping bag at night; keep your mobile phone safe at all times; beware of pick-pockets and keep an eye on any bags you carry around with you; read the crime prevention advice available at the festival; and be sure to report crimes or suspicious behaviour to the Police.

It must be stressed that the chance of being a victim of crime remains small, but being aware of the situation can only make for a more relaxing and enjoyable festival for al of us.

Drugs Policy

WOMAD have been working with Wiltshire Police to tackle possible problems of drug misuse at the festival. We ask our audience to work with us in helping to make the festival drug free and to take note of the statement below.

The unlawful supply or illegal drug use is not condoned by WOMAD. Drug enforcement laws are as applicable on-site as anywhere else in the country. Police officers will be on-site and will deal with drug offences in accordance with national guidelines. If you engage in the unlawful supply of drugs, it is likely that you will be arrested. Neither anti-social nor illegal behaviour will be tolerated and participants will leave themselves liable to eviction from the site.

First Aid

The Red Cross provide 24-hour First Aid cover. They are located near World Of Kids.

Welfare at WOMAD

The Campsite Welfare Service is open 24 hours a day from 8pm on Thursday until noon on Monday. Come and see us if you need some help. We will try to sort out any problems you have. When the Information Tent is closed, you will be able to leave messages with us, or check out site and local information, running order, location of facilities on site, etc. If you are worried about something or need a bit of support, we are here to help you. We want you to enjoy the festival.

Weather and your Health

We strongly suggest you bring sun protection with you and if it's sunny, wear hats and protective clothing at all times. It is advisable to bring plenty of bottled water. Also bring warm, rainproof and protective clothing, especially if you are camping. There is some shade available on site, but as it is a festival, exposure to the elements is pretty much unavoidable!

Smoking at the Festival

Smoking is illegal in enclosed public spaces. WOMAD will enforce a No Smoking ban in ALL enclosed structures. Please dispose of your cigarette ends responsibly - in a litterbin or a specially-designed ButtsOut box, which are available from various outlets across the festival site.

Your Safety

Please enjoy yourselves safely. Make sure you clean your hands regularly, especially after going to the loo and before eating, to avoid the risk of stomach upset. Though we make every effort to keep the site clean (and hope you will too), please don't walk barefoot to minimise the risk of accidents. Cover up in the sun and use sun protection. Always take care with LPG and FIRE.

Lost/Found Property

If you have lost a personal item, please contact the on-site Police who will be able to help. If you find an item, please hand it in at the on-site Police Unit, or give to a steward.

Animals

Guide dogs are the only animals permitted on site.

Funfair

There is a funfair on site which charges separately for rides and games.

OPENING HOURS

Please note that all timings below may be subject to change.

On-Site Box Office Opening Hours

For those needing to collect pre-booked tickets (ordered on or after 16 July only) at the festival. All tickets types that haven't sold out, plus Thursday Camping and Child tickets can be purchased here.

Thursday 24 July: 8am - 10pm

Friday 25 July: 8am - 10pm

Saturday 26 July: 9am - 6pm

Sunday 27 July: 9am - 6pm

Wristband Exchange Opening Hours

If you have all your tickets with you, you can enter the festival via the wristband exchanges, which are open as follows:

Point 1: General access. Open 24 hours a day from 8am, Thurs 24 July

Point 2: Campervan and Disabled access. Open 8am - Midnight each day

Point 3: Box Office and Day Parking access. Open 24 hours a day from 8am, Thurs 24 July

Campsite Opening Hours

The campsite is only open to Weekend ticket holders.

If you hold a WEEKEND TICKET PLUS A THURSDAY CAMPING TICKET, you can camp from 8am on Thursday 24 July to the morning of Monday 28 July.

If you hold a WEEKEND TICKET ONLY, you can camp from 8am on Friday 25 July to the morning of Monday 28 July.

Thursday Camping tickets will be available to buy on the door at the on-site Box Office.

Arena Opening Hours

Thursday 24 July: 2pm - 4am

Friday 25 July: 8am - 4am

Saturday 26 July: 8am - 4am

Sunday 27 July: 8am - 4am