Wow what a weekend, I mean you really couldn't ask for a better start to the festival season, lush weather, nice people and great music, three of lifes true treasures.
People gathering at Beltane to see in the summer is one of Englands most ancient traditions, from morris dancers, maypoles to watching the Beltane fires burn I truly believe it awakens a connection to our ancient past. Its a magical site, and a truly magical vibe.
In recent years loads of festivals have been brought out by corporations and the independent ones are dropping like flies due to ever rising costs, but every cloud has a silver lining right. Im loving seeing more affordable grass roots diy festivals and gathering popping up, they may not have the big hyped names but they usually have great music and an all round better vibe to the big commercials. I mean when I was young thats how you dicovered music, you go to a festival, an indie night or a band night inna pub and be like who the fuck was that they were fkn wkd. I love that attitude towards music, its how it should be and its how it is here at the horse drawn. Live on the stages and round the fires under the stars, where the guitars and fiddles go on into the night (and sometimes a bit of ragga jungle dnb mashup ere n there to) it's such a great atmosphere here.
There is a lot stereo typing when it comes to traveller folk, almost an underlying assumption that if they are in the area there is going to be trouble and they're going to leave a load of rubbish behind. That assumption couldnt be further away from reality when it comes to the horsedrawn camp, the site was absolutely spotless when we left left. There was no trouble and everyone in that field was smiling, grateful for the sunny weather and pleased to be back in the fields meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Thats what its all about at the end of the day innit, a gathering of people coming together to welcome in the summer and I cant think of a better way to do it. There is nowhere I wanna be right now other than right here with the regions fam, back behind the counter, back on the road its a great feeling.
Big up's to Pete and the Delany family for organising such a class event, we all had a real blast and a very successful start to our season 👊❤️
Our next festival is the NFA BishBosh next weekend with the Regions right here in the Cotswold's, looking real forward to that its gonna be wkd. After that we will be heading straight down to Kent with El Chipos for the very excellent Small world, another gem on the festival calendar.
Wishing you all a very happy Beltane, may your summer be filled with sunshine, music and joy.
