Camp Bestival kicks off as Dorset's first post-lockdown music festival

Over 30 thousand music lovers are expected at Dorset's camp Bestival this weekend.

Campers have pitched their tents at Lulworth Castle and organisers are looking forward to a fun Friday.

Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and Becky Hill will be performing at the first big post-lockdown music festival in the county over the weekend.

The festival was cancelled last year because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, it was due to take place from 30th July to 2nd August.

STORMY WEATHER

Due to the weather conditions last night, safety tips were issued to campers on Camp Bestival's Twitter.

They said: "Tents should be fully pegged down, heavy objects should be placed around tents, tent doors should be kept shut and any gazebos and camping equipment should be moved inside the tent."

High winds are expected throughout the weekend so organisers wanted tents to stay put.

The stormy conditions meant there was also a delay to the opening of their public arenas and gates but campers were welcome in both places after 11am.

SAFETY MEASURES

Organisers have been working with Dorset Council’s Safety Advisory Group which includes partners from Public Health Dorset and Dorset Police, to ensure the event is as safe as possible for festival goers.

Dorset Council say stringent health and safety measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of festival-goers, staff and performers which goes beyond what is expected of organisers since the lifting of COVID restrictions on 19 July.

All ticket holders aged 11 and over will need to demonstrate their COVID-19 Status before entering through the Camp Bestival gates by providing EITHER of the following:

Proof of full vaccination – both doses received (with the second at least 14 days prior to the festival)

OR

Proof of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test taken prior to travel on the day of arrival at the festival

OR

Proof of natural immunity based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival (including 10 days self-isolation following the result)

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• Camp Bestival
• lulworth
• music festival
• Dorset