Headliners
Well, us farmers have come to the end of another festival here at merton farm and it was without doubt the biggest yet. We enjoyed an unprecedented response from everyone and we’re proud of what Lounge on the Farm has achieved since 2006. The festival has grown and grown over the years and has done so, not so much as a result of us, but as a result of the hardwork, faith and input from all of our suppliers, productions crews and contractors and from the continued support of you the punter. Its been a long hard slog and its far from over but we are definitely on the right track. Every festival throws new surprises at us and every year we like to think we improve on the previous year. We are always open to suggestion, comment, praise and complaint and we investigate each and every one as an individual incident and we do our best to act on the results.
For 2010 we have decided to restructure our ticket prices and add a ‘teen band’ to our tickets. We have done this in response to the number of comments we recieved regarding the quantity of young people on the site, many without adequate supervision. Over the course of the weekend we drafted in additional security to monitor and take care of the well being of these under 18s, but we realised that next we would have to do something in advance to protect the wellbeing and comfort of all of our visitors. Don’t get us wrong – we have nothing against teens – you guys are our future, but we have to ensure that you are safe and happy and that the retirees in the tents next door to you also feel safe and happy. We are lucky enough to have a wide and diverse demographic of visitors and we beleive that everyone can enjoy the festival together, but naturally a 16 – 26 year old has a very different atitude to chilling out to a 27 – 39 year old or a 40+.
Previously ‘quiet camping’ has only been available in the family campsite. Following comments from this year we will be introducing quiet areas in all the campsites. Access to these areas will be by specific wristbands. However, in order to ensure the safety and well being of everyone in the campsites i am afraid that from 2010 we will have to be extremely strict about alcohol on site. There will be a limit in place governing how much can be brought into the campsites and no glass at all will be allowed. The farmer cannot graze livestock on the camping fields this year following the festival as there was so much broken glass that it wouldnt be safe. And as always if you are underage then you will not be allowed alcohol.
In addition to that the sheer cost of the festival rises every year, and as a result our prices have to go up in 2010. We have held them for two years but unfortunately we just don’t have a choice now. By adding the Teen Ticket for 13-17year olds we are reducing the cost to them and their families but also allowing us stricter monitoring of how many teens are on site. Teen Tickets will still have to be purchased with an adult ticket and priority will be given to Family ticket holders. Purchasing the tickets will be just as easy but please remember if you arrive without an adult over the age of 21 and in a responsible position you will not be allowed into the festival. A responsible adult would be a parent, legal guardian, or close family relative (aunt/uncle/grandparents). A 21 year old with a 17 year old girlfriend will not be considered a responsible adult. The same applies to cousins and brothers/sisters of similar ages. Its not that we think all young people are irresponsible, far form it, but we just remember our own childhoods and at a festival distractions are many and responsibilites are enormous.
As a result of our price increase we are releasing a limited number of early birds for LOTF 2010 fixed at 2008/09 prices. This will be an exceptional saving for earlybirders and the least we owe following the price increase.
We know this all sounds really rather harsh and stringent but we want to see this festival get better every year and we can only do that by improving and rectifying problems. The festival is about having fun all weekend long, good food, great music, and a vibe where one mans fun never impinges on anothers. This is hopefully the way to keep that going...
