I was not at Chippenham this year, so can not comment on the specific situation that arose. However, for several years I worked with Pollys' husband as a campsite steward at Chippenham, and fully support everything she says about the problems that have been encountered in the past.

Local residents (and some folkies) have complained about the late night noise.
Volunteer campsite stewards have had to deal with drunks and druggies attracted to the late sessions, because its 'somewhere to go', and there has been little, and on occasions, no support from the authorities and police.

!Not sure why you would think that any of those you judge so harshly here would buy or read the festival programme (or need to stagger so far)...'

Chippenham campsite used to be a quiet little backwater on the edge of town that in the main went un-noticed. Since then, the festival (and its profile) has grown, and La Fleche Avenue (Flesh Alley) - the Ring Road that skirts the Playing Field - and the housing estates beyond have been built. Who needs a programme? There are plenty of locals going home that way, and more that will just turn up to see whats on. Not all of them are particularly pleasant people. Harshly judged? Unfortunately not!

The town has changed, the festival has changed, and the job changed too. If you want happy smiling volunteer folkie stewards, try taking the job on yourself. I'm with Polly, it needs professional stewards now.

Whoever does the job, it needs to be done properly, but also needs co-operation from the festival goers. You don't always get it, and you decisions aren't always popular. You can't please all of the people........

cheers

Brian