Camp Bestival is a real family affair (From Thisisdorset)

Camp Bestival is a real family affair

8:39am Monday 27th July 2009

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THE grounds of Lulworth Castle became a bohemian paradise for young and old as 15,000 people enjoyed a weekend of music and fun.

In its second year, Camp Bestival proved to be the place to be to experience a summer festival in style with live music from top acts and attractions that kept the 5,000 children busy while their parents relaxed in the sun.

Organiser and DJ Rob da Bank hailed the festival a success.

He said: “It’s only the second year so I’m really pleased. It has sold out and has an amazing vibe so it has worked out so well.

“PJ Harvey performing and Mr Tumble leading the festival procession have been some of the best festival moments.

“Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall loved it and was dancing with me last night. I love holding the Bestival festival on the Isle of Wight and Camp Bestival here in Dorset.

“It is a fabulous setting and with the sun setting behind the castle while Florence and the Machine played it was like something out of an Arthurian legend.

“It is a real family affair and out of the 15,000 people who attended about 5,000 were children. I am now looking ahead to next year.”

The roads in Purbeck surrounding the Lulworth estate provided easy access to and from the festival site on all three days.

There was brief spells of light rain on Friday and Sunday but it did not dampen the spirits.

Thousands joined in with the event’s fancy dress ‘animal magic’ theme. Outfits dotted around the site included Scooby Doo, 101 Dalmations, dinosaurs and a pantomime horse costume.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with live performances from Florence and the Machine, Kid Creole & The Coconuts and Mercury Rev.

Florence and the Machine’s flame-haired singer Florence Welch sparked the crowd into life with her energetic performance.

She asked the crowd to enjoy the sunset with her and when she named Camp Bestival as her favourite festival she set jovial mood for the weekend.

On the sunny Saturday families enjoyed novelties such as the dress-up tent, soft play area and the ballet tent.

Children partied in the bikini bottom tent where they danced with SpongeBob SquarePants and took part in air guitar and other competitions.

They were also entertained by a donkey area, story reading tent and the impossible bicycle pen that had novelty bikes with mis-shaped wheels and frames.

There was live music from Annie Mac, Goldie Looking Chain, Phoenix and local girl PJ Harvey performed a relaxed semi-accoustic set that was her only UK festival appearance this year.

Also performing were Weymouth duo Bebe and Paolo, winners of the Dorset Echo-backed Battle of the Bands contest On Sunday an appearance by the comedy panel and topical review show the Early Edition had a packed Big Top tent laughing. Thousands of children then lapped up the English National Ballet’s performance of Angelina Ballerina.

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