This week, two examples of British eccentricity come together, as two of the younger characters from The Archers (Alice Aldridge and Christopher Carter) are off to Bestival.
As it happened, it fell to me to write all this week’s Archers episodes (31 Aug – 5 Sep), which was quite handy, as I know Bestival fairly well. I went to the first one, when it was a small hopeful punt by Rob da Bank. In fact I bumped into Rob on the site and asked if he was going to do another one. “If I can afford it”, was his answer.
It’s become a great success, of course, and I went again in 2006, when it had grown substantially. I couldn’t make it this year (going to the End of The Road instead), but I took two off my sons to its new small offshoot Camp Bestival, which was great.
When I was writing the script, the Bestival folk sent me a full site plan and stage running order, so that I could get the details right, supplemented with my own knowledge of the festival atmosphere. So I now know where the Hidden Disco is (although I’m sworn to secrecy).
There’s a bit of run-up on Thursday evening’s Archers episode (1900hrs, repeated the next day at 1400hrs), and quite a substantial chunk on Friday.
If you’re familiar with festival-going, I’d be interested to hear what you think of the episodes. In fact any feedback is always welcome.
btw, I’ve been writing a bit about equipment for festivals:
Keri Davies 