Deer Shed Festival unveiled
NORTH Yorkshire is to host a new music festival in stunning scenery with a philosophy which, for once, sounds truly different.
The Deer Shed Festival is set to be a family-friendly event with a high quality line-up.
Indie legends The Wedding Present have already been announced in the headlining slot for this new July fixture, though the varied line-up is expected to be anything but predictable.
In a way, however, the all-day event set in beautiful landscaped parkland near Topcliffe, Thirsk it isn't about the live acts at all.
Organisers Kate and Oliver Webster-Jones, who live near Thirsk, are huge fans of music and the arts.
As presenters of successful live shows at Thirsk's Old Courthouse, they say they had become tired of never being able to find a festival that catered for their love of music and their brood of three in equal measures.
Kate said: "After spending a small fortune getting us all in, we ended up being either disappointed in the music line up or disappointed in the facilities and food for the kids.
"We hope by providing a super-concentrated version of the big festivals with dedicated kids activities and locally-sourced fresh food, we'll be able to offer quality and value; keeping everyone happy."
Set in beautiful landscaped parkland near Topcliffe, Thirsk it promises to offer live music fans of every age one day and night of the best in contemporary music and art.
The Deer Shed philosophy is such that even the youngest festival-goer gets as much out of it as their parents do.
There's a full schedule of activities, involving both musicians and artists, such as a giant doodle wall, treasure hunts and percussion making workshops.
Wedding Present lead singer, David Gedge is a great fan of the couple's Deer Shed philosophy and says he's delighted to be returning to his Yorkshire roots…
"Being a Yorkshireman myself, I'm thrilled to be supporting the first-ever Deer Shed Festival.
"It's refreshing to find a music festival which embraces the fact that live music fans can be of any age and at any stage in their lives...and the organisers have really thought about that.
"Most of all, though, I'm just looking forward to playing for Wedding Present fans old and new alike, in some stunning North Yorkshire countryside."
Overlooking the festival site sits an impressive 18th century Palladian style villa, designed by Scottish architect, Colen Campbell, for Sir William Robinson, an esteemed York MP of the day.
The deer shed, which inspired the festival site, forms part of the grounds of the park. Although the deer have long gone, they've left behind a peaceful low-slung building that nestles quietly in a dip.
It's this L-shaped shelter that will provide the focal point of the festival when it's brought to life by stage, musicians and live music fans - something unimaginable to those who originally built it.
Adjacent to the deer shed, are a number of other original features, including an ornamental lake, an obelisk folly, and a ha-ha (all the rage in the 18th century).
The site of the festival has been planned so that everyone will be able to soak up the grandeur, beauty and history of Baldersby Park, whether they're watching a host of bands perform or taking part in a circus skills workshop.
Indie rock legends, The Wedding Present will be bringing the festival to a spectacular close, after which young and old(er) can retire to their tents, allowing a more civilised 18th century hush to return to the park.
Two years on from first coming up with the concept for the festival, which will take place on Saturday, July 17, Kate and Oliver's idea of a live music/child-friendly utopia fast looks like becoming a reality.
Oliver is documenting the challenge every step of the way on his blog about the trials of organising your first festival.
Visit www.deershedfestival.com to buy tickets or for more information.
Adult ticket prices are set at 35 (under 16s 7.50, under 6s FREE).
graham.chalmers@ypn.co.uk
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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