WOMAD organisers on top of last year's problems

3:44pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

WITH just two weeks to go until 30,000 music fans pour into Charlton Park for WOMAD the festival site is beginning to take shape.

The organisers have been working on the site for months to try and solve some of last year's problems and get it ready for this years event, which is taking place between July 25-27.

“Since last year we have learned that water travels down hill and if you put your festival in something called a meadow it will flood."

Organiser Chris Smith

Last year torrential downpours turned the site into a mud filled bog which saw tractors towing cars from the fields and traffic piling up from the festival site to the M4.

But now organisers say they have got it right, and coupled with a star studded line up, it is going to be the best event to hit the Malmesbury area this year.

Organiser Chris Smith said: "Since last year we have learned that water travels down hill and if you put your festival in something called a meadow it will flood.

"Vehicles couldn't move around the site so that went very wrong but we have built roads this year on site for the purpose of the festival.

"Among other things our communication has improved. We will have Radio WOMAD broadcasting to play music and to give information about the site and let people know what's happening.

"We've moved the arena as well so this year we are literally at the top of the estate and it is flat so it's better.

"It sort of fell apart last year when cars couldn't get in and out but now they can just drive straight on and off.

"We know what went wrong. We also know last year was an exceptional year for weather so we have planned on that basis and we are better prepared."

Although it was claimed that the festival last year was plagued with problems it was the first year that it was held in the West Country after moving from it's previous home in Reading.

Lord Suffolk who owns Charlton Park increased the festivals size by almost 100 acres by allowing them to use nearly 400 acres of his 3,500 acre estate.

His son, Viscount Andover said: "People also complained about traffic but actually, to get 30,000 people on a site in two days i think it was incredible.

"I picked WOMAD because of the sort of people it attracts and last year was the perfect crowd.

"It is much more family oriented and unlike other festivals it's not too big. Glastonbury is just enormous but everything is very accessible here.

"I think it is always a learning curve every year but it was a big thing for us because it was the first thing of its size we had on the estate, ever."

The Viscount will be visible during the festival soaring the skies in his helicopter to keep an eye on the 30,000 people camping and partying in his garden.

"I'll be around and I will be flying over. Last year was great so I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Top of his list for acts to see is Martha Wainwright, who will be headlining on Saturday night.

The line up also includes acts such as Boy George, Finlay Quaye, Squeeze and Roni Size and Reprazent.

Among those big names will be stars of the music industry from around the world.

For more information and tickets visit www.womad.org

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