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plasminfford
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Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Aug 22, 2008, 11:11
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I know you can't stop it raining. I know you can't predict torrential downpours.
But it seemed to be taking the mick to leave those in that area to the mercy of local farmers for a tow out. What were we paying for exactly in handing over £35 extra for 'live-in vehicles'?
If you want to have a contingency for such an eventuality add a few quid to the price - it ended a great weekend with a nasty taste in the mouth for some.
At other festivals where this has happened a Dunkurque spirit emerges with no-one trying to make a quick buck.
It seeemd like preying on those with no choice somehow.
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Saul
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Re: Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Aug 22, 2008, 11:19
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I was towed out for free by a tractor as were most of the people around me who needed it on Monday.
I did not see anyone charging for the service. Sounds like some opportunists may have got in on the act?
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eilatan
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Re: Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Aug 22, 2008, 12:37
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The guy who towed us, just said it was a tenner as as if it were a matter of course. We would have made it out too if it wasn't for the last bit up the hill. We might have given that a go too but our ancient talbot is a tall old thing and we had our 13 month old with us and were a bit chicken. I would have offered the bloke a drink but he just said "ten quid." when he roped us up. I was relieved that my husband had a tenner cos I was spent up. And a little miffed because if a tenner was the going rate the festival organisers could have put a sign up on Thurs saying that in the event of bad weather, make sure you've got ten quid spare on Monday - or words to that effect. I told my dad about it yesterday. He was site manager on every Knebworth festival from 1974 to the horror that was Robbie Williams and he was aghast at this lack of festival spirit. He said he'd towed hundreds of people out and would be a millionaire now if he'd charged them a tenner. He said he (and his team) were often offered money but turned it down saying "Have a safe journey..." The owner of Knebworth, the now, Lord Cobbold was often with him and backed this attitude. Maybe the difference was that my dad and his crew were employed by the estate? I don't know the status of the guys with tractors, maybe they were local farmers who turned up opportunistically? Whatever, I think the least Green Man organisers could do is warn ppl that they might have to pay to get out.
Most other festivals I've been too (Admittedly big corporate ones) have had a rolling road in potentially wet places. They look ugly and are very noisy when stewards patrol in cars at night but maybe they should be considered.
Anyway, I think it is largely a well run festival but as it gets bigger might need some logistical advice from the someone who has worked on one of the biggies! Not volunteering my old man tho! I know there's a danger of GM becoming too corporate but I think the layout could be improved with some thought.
However, it was all heaps better, in terms of music, sound quality and vibe than Lattitude which is run by a big company. So who knows?
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Bill
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Re: Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Aug 22, 2008, 13:50
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I was pulled out for free at the festival and so were many others.
I offered the tractor driver money, although he never asked for it and he told me that he had already been paid by the organisers.
Friends of mine in another car park told me that they had been pulled out too. I agree I think that opportunistic farmers have been taking advantage of the situation.
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woodenrabbit
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Re: Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Aug 22, 2008, 20:08
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See the post elsewhere for the Green Man organisers' comments about these unscrupulous farmers, where they say they were NOT meant to be doing this and were ejected from the site once the organisers were made aware of their conduct.
I was camped directly next to where tractors were towing people out of the live-in area and I saw about 3 tows a minute for 3-4 hours with money changing hands every time I looked.
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chrisvmax
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Re: Was a £10 tow out of the caravan/camper van area a kick in the soggy backside?
Nov 20, 2008, 13:46
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Well I though the tractors circling the live-in vehicle field were there to help out. It now seems they were after some easy money.
They must have been disappointed Sunday night when they watched me in my 22 year old ambulance ploughing through the mud across both fields and out, safe, onto tarmac.
TRANSIT POWER!!!
Had the van in for it's MOT this week... it;s still got Green Man mud stuck underneath it:)
Excellent festival though. First time I've been to the Green Man, certainly be back in 2009.
Cheers,
Chris
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