WOMAD

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  Oh, and to add, I agree with CardiffColin about the balances on the CG stage - and sound quality of the Big Red stage.

  And sorry, Linx - loved Robert Plant - what a band.

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 10:16am by Birthday Girl

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  Our fist Womad and hopefully many more to come. Thank you all.

  Some of the highs – B.B.B, Balkan Alien Sound, Peatbog Faeries, Raghu Dixit and Claudia Aurora.

  A special thank you to the loo cleaners from an OCD teenage daughter.

  I have read a few negative comments on the volume but generally loved the levels, added to the party atmosphere and may persuade a few to get off their folding chairs and dance.

  Cornershop were disappointing, even my 6 year old commented 'he doesn’t look like he wants to be here'. My biggest gripe was the constant talking through Manganiyar Seduction. I am a big fan of Indian classical music but left half way through their set. Surprised by this contempt from an otherwise extremely polite crowd, may be partly to blame on scheduling the high energy of Peatbog Faeries just before.

  Don't want to finish on a negative note, overall a brilliant, entertaining and well run event. Cant wait for next year.

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 11:45am by Love Your Lashes

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  Music aside, my thoughts

  The rearrangement of the site threw me to start with and meant that it was a longer trek than usual to get where I wanted to be from a quiet camping spot. But, on the positive side, I got more exercise

  Thank you WOMAD for the fantastic loos - no stink, little mess and always paper and hand wash - fabulous. Showers worked and very welcome. Most of all, thank you to what must have been a veritable army of litter pickers who swept in after every set and quietly cleaned up - I've never been more aware of NOT walking in piles of rubbish than I was this year - well done!

  Stalls, food, drink - all lovely. Tried to keep my hands in my pockets but failed miserably and bought 'stuff' as usual.

  Thank you also to Frank Water for keeping me hydrated - what a brilliant concept. I took last year's bottle and paid only £2 for an endless supply of cold fresh water - damn good value.

  For me this year wasn't marked by great music but nonetheless I had a brilliiant time enjoying the weather, everything the site had to offer and socialising with my old and new friends

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 12:03pm by Loppylugs

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  womad always set the bar very high when it comes to organising festivals and generally it is near perfect .However i hope they heed what are a few constructive criticisms on our Forum .It goes without saying that i had a fantastic time again this year with just a few gripes . I,m surprised that the toilets around the Main Stage and Siam tents didn,t have mens urinals given the amount of people congregated in that area . If you can provide just a few urinals it lessens the queues for everyone - there are a lot of older people at Womad and they don,t have brilliant bladder control ( i even saw desperate women who couldn,t queue having to avail themselves of the bushes ) .I,m sure urinals aren,t that expensive so please get them back next year . Secondly , i thought the sound was poorer this year at most stages , lots of feedback , mics not working etc . Not sure if it was the wind but where i was , to the right of stage , during Khaled the first half of set was too quiet - it did get louder luckily

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 12:38pm by Avebury

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  @ Drifter............... You have a serious problem if you created the smell at Frankley Services............... seek medical help immediately

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 12:59pm by Redleg

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  As mentioned before, regarding the security 'arrangements'. We were in the Meadow Park and camp, arriving on Thursday (as we always have) and were appalled at seeing people being stopped and searched (and arrested) on arrival. It really spoilt the festival for me, even though we weren't personally stopped and searched, which I assumed was because we are old farts, but then I noticed people not that far short of our age also being stopped and searched - all rather sad and unnecessary. I have no problem with police and/or security preventing crime but this seemed very heavy handed to me.

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 1:56pm by Wenpas

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  May I say that Molly's Bar was very well situated because a lot of the young people were naturally inclined to camp in that same field, which I'm sure was intended. This cut out a lot of the usual all night traffic tripping loudly over all of our tents as they made their way back to theirs. Very smart move.

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 2:12pm by Lordsnooty

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  Excellent music. Nice people of all ages. The loos as discussed elsewhere didn't seem as well organised as they used to be by Tracy's Crew. This is such a brilliant festival that it seems churlish to criticise anything. Each year since I turned 60 (albeit that I'm perfectly able and mobile) I find the event physically more tiring so I loved the big flowers with seats. The most tiring thing is the long walk from car park to arena and back. I stay offsite and It'd be so nice if there was some parking near the arena rather than near the camp site. Even nicer if there was an ecologically friendly bus trolling up and down - I'd happily pay for that. I'm now going to cover my eyes and ears whilst 90 year olds call me a lazy, moaning, capitalist running dog old git! My thighs are starting to stop aching now though so that's all good then!

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 2:24pm by Mcgrooger

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  The Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel were absolutely amazing.
  Thank you for a great day.

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 2:25pm by Thexan

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  Oh, and a big thank you to the lovely young couple who were so polite and diligent in the car park - in all weathers. Well done!!

  Posted on 31-Jul-2012 2:30pm by Mcgrooger

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