Whitby festival with mobility problems

Subject: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:03 AM

If you were planning to bring a camper van to Whitby and wanted to minimise the walking up and down hills, would you park it on the Official site or Moor and Coast? Obviously it depends which events my friend wants to attend, the answer there is probably a bit of everything, sessions, concerts ceilidhs, singing.
Is public transport an option for beetling around Whitby carrying instruments.
I don't think they'll be running between the Metropole and the Middle Earth.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Barb'ry
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:26 AM

I think I'd go for the official site as it is closer to things 'at the top' but saying that, it isn't THAT close apart from things happening at the school. Whitby is a brilliant festival but I don't think it is one of the more accessible! (Although maybe there is provision for people with limited mobility?) Perhaps your friend could put up a notice in the festival cafe asking for lifts.
Sorry, that's probably not a lot of help! Good luck though.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:35 AM

Both sites are a reasonable walk from the main venues. There is a regular daytime bus from outside the official camp site to the bus station but unless you are going to spend the day in one of the pubs at that end of the harbour it isn't much use.

"mobility problems" covers a range of conditions, do you just mean your friend can't walk a long way or do you mean you that they require full wheelchair access, or somewhere in between?

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 May 10 - 12:33 PM

Can walk, but problems with distance and hills.
Where is the bus station?

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Northerner
Date: 02 May 10 - 12:54 PM

Whitby is horrible for people with mobility problems. Venues are very scattered, there are hilly sections and the buses don't generally go near to the venues. Your best bet is to find venues that run events for most of the day and just stay near to where those events are. I think the Rifle Club, for instance, runs events for most of the day and also has a small snack bar. You do have to climb up the stairs though.

Beg for a lift from someone or book the occasional taxi.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 May 10 - 03:18 PM

If you're driving, just buy an all-day parking pass (good for parking at both the top and the bottom of the hill). THat way, youcan restrict your walking to the relatively flat sections.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 02 May 10 - 03:22 PM

I must admit that Whitby isn't an option for me and I have similar mobility problems. Sadly Broadstairs is out of the question too. All I can say is there are a load of other festivals out there ...

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: gnomad
Date: 02 May 10 - 06:35 PM

Northerner has it right, the terrain here really suits only the relatively fit & mobile. An unlimited budget for taxis would make a major difference if you wanted to change venue frequently, but who has that option?

The bus station is beside the rail station, Victoria Square/Bagdale/Dock End area. It is OK for access to such west side events as are at river level, less good for east side, or for events in the uphill venues.

A significant problem for parking is that the town is overflowing in folk week, finding a space anywhere near where it is needed can be a desperate business.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 02 May 10 - 06:38 PM

The suggestion from Dick about getting an all day parking ticket is a good one.

An even better one financially if you are staying for the week is the week long ticket because it saves you money and having to go to the Tourist Information Office each day.

It may even be possible to purchase in advance, try writing to the Tourist Information at the address given on the folk week official website.

You could call them of course (the TIC) but then get an office in Scarborough that may not be au fait with the state of play in Whitby. Having said that the last few times I have been in the tourist info they seemed to be taking plenty of calls from Joe Public so it may be that that is no longer a problem.

One further thought. At both campsites which are on school playing fields there are restrictions on movements on and off site to protect the sites from damage or at least minimise it. If it is wet this can become a real problem so please bear it in mind.

Good hunting

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Susan of DT
Date: 02 May 10 - 08:31 PM

A week long parking pass? We have been buying the 24 hour pass at the parking machine each day.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 May 10 - 12:44 AM

I think Whitby DAG based in Church House on Flowergate and Esk Valley Mobility on Church Street (twixt Endeavour and Fleece)hire out electric scooters which may be an answer to the problem of hills and distance, actual access into some venues is a different matter, but it was suggested that the person in question can do some walking, moving a car round is not really a viable option due to severe parking limitations.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: GUEST,The Smiler
Date: 03 May 10 - 05:28 AM

Here is the link that Raggy is on about. Not a bad idea at all. I stopped going to Moor & Coast becuase the hills were crippling my knees and feet.
Maybe I will think of doing that for next year.

Only problem as I see, is that you can't wallop the real ales back. I assume you can get done for drinking and driving in one of those.

http://www.whitbydag.org.uk/cgi-local/dag.cgi?TASK=DrawTemplate&STORY=HIRE/1171984827.ind

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 May 10 - 05:35 AM

No I'd ruled out the thought of trying to get a parking space (especially for a camper van). What is the parking situation like for scooters - assuming that her husband could park it for her, how long would he have to allow to park and come back?
She doesn't want to do that but if walking proved impossible, maybe.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 May 10 - 05:42 AM

Ah, just seen the link. If they have to be stored indoors overnight and recharged that probably is ruled in a out campervan.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 May 10 - 06:21 AM

Whitby is a lovely festival, but a nightmare for anyone with mobility problems. A mate of mine in a wheelchair used to manage it, hurtling down the hills at high speed, but there aren't too many like him.

Public transport isn't too much of an option I'm inclined to think.

I always think Fylde Folk Festival at Fleetwod is in some ways rather like Whitby ironed out flat. It might be an alternative worth thinking about.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: banjoman
Date: 03 May 10 - 10:29 AM

I stopped going to whitby because I found it far too difficult to get about on my mobility scooter. It was also a serious problem that my Blue Badge did not help in finding anywhere to park as even the diabled bays in the car parks are charged for. Not a disabled friendly town at all.

Someone mentioned Broadstairs. Well I am about to spen my 20th year there as a performer and have always found the organisers and stewards very helpful. There is a bus from the campsite regularly. The only problem is the lack of a facility to park on the campsite closest to the school. but disabled persons can get a parking permit from the office which gives parking on the main car park

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 May 10 - 04:26 PM

Still quite a climb between some of the venues at Broadstairs. In Fleetwood it's flat as a pancake.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: vectis
Date: 04 May 10 - 07:32 AM

I used one of ESK Mobilities scooters when I had a broken ankle one year. The Moor and Coast site stewards were brilliant and helped me recharge daily. ESK may be willing to recharge you if you are at the Fleece or Endeavour too.
Give them a ring in advance to make sure they have a buggy for you and get prices. I found them very reasonable.

Good luck

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Raggytash
Date: 04 May 10 - 07:34 AM

Banjoman

The disabled bays in the car parks are chargeable, however the 40 minute/one hour parking restrictions on the street do not apply to blue badge holders, parking in Whitby is invarably a nightmare for visitors and locals alike, unfortunately short of knocking the town down and redesigning it there is not much that can be done. There has been talk for years of a park-and-ride scheme but that has been vetoed for various reasons, including lack of cash, lack of will and the National Park not allowing the development of a car park on the outskirts of town.
Cheers

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 04 May 10 - 04:58 PM

Banjoman: You're right about the helpfulness of Broadstairs "staff" - BUT - you still need a certain amount of mobility. I managed a couple of years but as my lupus has deteriorated I find it impossible now. I haven't tried Fleetwood though - I might look into it.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 May 10 - 07:14 AM

Whitby DAG have the following which can be hired by the day or week:

8 Scooters £8 per day/ £50 per week
1 Powered Chair

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 May 10 - 07:18 AM

I'll try again

Whitby DAG have the follwoing which can be hired by the day or week:-

8 Scooters                   £8 per day/£50 per week
1 Powered Chair             £4 per day/£20 per week
1 Powerpack Chair            £4 per day/£20 per week

A deposit of £25 is payable together with terms and conditions of hire, they can be contacted on 01947 821001. Esk Valley Mobility can be contacted on 01947 825555

Cheers

Raggytash

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 10 - 08:24 AM

I am thinking of going to Whitby this year but I too am concerned about getting about as I am limited in my walking ability - I can walk upto about a mile as a rule. I know that the campsites are a reasonable distance from the town but I didn't realise the venues were quite so spread out.

I am primarily interested in the singarounds and sessions - can anyone tell me where these take place mostly. I am hoping that if I get down to the harbour area then the pubs around there would be a good place to hang out for the day. Any info/advice would be appreciated.

Would it be worth taking a pushbike do you think?

cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: gnomad
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:07 PM

Ged: A mile will comfortably get you into town from most campsites. A pushbike is not really too practical here on the whole (crowds of jaywalkers, cobbled streets, cars parked everywhere & steep gradients) on foot there is a network of back alleys & yards which will help you get about.

Once down at harbour level you are all set for most (though not quite all) of the singarounds & sessions, you just have the one uphill slog at days end, or you might find someone to share a taxi if required.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Raggytash
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:26 PM

If you gave him a piggyback to your place Gnomad he would then have bit of a downhill and a much shorter uphill

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:33 PM

Anywhere you go in Whitby it seems to be uphill both ways, coming and going.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: Gedi
Date: 20 May 10 - 07:27 AM

Thanks for the info Gnomad. I didn't think a bike would be much use! It sounds like it'll be ok though.

I'll be allright if I only have to get down the hill once, spend the day down near the quayside and then climb the hill at the end of the day. What was worrying me is if I have to go here, there and everywhere during the day.

Cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: nutty
Date: 20 May 10 - 09:47 AM

Taxi's are reasonably cheap in whitby and readily available from the station/quay area.

I managed last year (with back problems) by planning my day so that I could get a taxi uphill - to the festival office/spa areas and walk back downhill from there.

There is usually bus that does a circular tour at certain times of the day during the holiday season.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 20 May 10 - 01:34 PM

The important thing to understand about gradients in Whitby is that the town was laid out by M C Escher

Because of the way the guests are booked and scheduled you can usually reckon on finding a venue that suits you and just spending the week there.

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: selby
Date: 20 May 10 - 03:45 PM

I think I am right in saying it is also regatta week again, not a good experiance on monday of folk week in some of the pubs

Subject: RE: Whitby festival with mobility problems
From: vectis
Date: 20 May 10 - 04:01 PM

I took my bike last year and it was really useful. The hills on the east side aren't too steep. The ones on the west are steep at first but don't last too long.