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Thousands enjoy a Fab weekend

4:20pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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THOUSANDS of people are enjoying the two day Basfest.

More than 40,000 visitors are expected at the free event at Gloucester Park this weekend.

As well as stalls, a funfair and entertainment from community groups there is music for all tastes.

The Bootleg Beatles tribute act will play on Saturday night and X Factor finalists Journey South are headlining on Sunday.


Your Say YourEcho

Happy Chappy, Basil - on the - Don says...
9:55pm Sat 5 Jul 08

Er just one question, how do they know how many people attend? Have you ever seen anyone counting?

tony, basildon says...
10:28pm Sat 5 Jul 08

I think the staff on the gates have a clicker counter.

devil's Advocate, Boozledon says...
11:18pm Sat 5 Jul 08

Well I was there and it was brilliant! I personally counted well many people there! I also thought "The Buddy Holly Show" was out of this world, especially his landing on the stage by parachute!

tony, basildon says...
11:33pm Sat 5 Jul 08

It was a great day but hugely disappointed with the sound on the main stage, we was halfway between the beer tent and the front to the right of the stage. There was too much bass and the vocals at time was not clear or loud enough as the music drowned the singing. but despite that it was a great day.Would have prefered better tribute acts like Complete Madness.

APR, Benfleet says...
9:27am Sun 6 Jul 08

There was too much bass and the vocals at time was not clear or loud enough as the music drowned the singing.


Isn't this so often the case with sound systems. It's a shame that so often nobody is monitoring what is coming through the speakers.
They are more interested in volume, than quality.

hmmm let's see, beancounting says...
9:31am Sun 6 Jul 08

I've never noticed anyone clicking, and I was in and out several times going back and forth to the car so that would certainly mess up the figures!

Let's say 20,000 visistors each day, average family of 4 arrive in a car...

5000 cars per day, let's say arriving at different times, does anyone stay there all day?

Is there parking space over at the festival for 3000 cars?

Say 2,500 cars as not everyone will drive...

cathy, basildon says...
12:23pm Sun 6 Jul 08

we went yesterday, quite enjoyed ourselves. had a few good wins on the tombolas.
and we walked in as we live local.
shame about the weather today. i might take a wander back over there this afternoon.

Sand, Laindon says...
12:54pm Sun 6 Jul 08

We went Satruday, and had a really great day. Plenty for all to do, our grand-daughter had a fun filled day. We enjoyed the Buddy Holy Tribute and Bootleg Beatles, well done Basildon Council.

Sarah, Basildon says...
12:59pm Sun 6 Jul 08

well i gotta say.. the first band "e-verto" were excellent, got myself a free cd :) haha.
the amy winehouse tribute, to be honest, wasn't as good as i expected.. the woman kept flashing, without meaning to.. but it still left me feeling quite disturbed, lol! And the music was too loud for her voice.. oh well, today should be better :D

hmmm let's see, number crunching says...
1:53pm Sun 6 Jul 08

cathy wrote:
we went yesterday, quite enjoyed ourselves. had a few good wins on the tombolas. and we walked in as we live local. shame about the weather today. i might take a wander back over there this afternoon.
Aha so if you go twice as I suspect a lot of people do then that bumps up the figures too.


cathy, basildon says...
6:12pm Sun 6 Jul 08

hmmm let's see wrote:
<b>
cathy wrote:
we went yesterday, quite enjoyed ourselves. had a few good wins on the tombolas. and we walked in as we live local. shame about the weather today. i might take a wander back over there this afternoon.
Aha so if you go twice as I suspect a lot of people do then that bumps up the figures too.

</b>
i did go back again. took the dog with me this time :)
i managed to avoid the rain as well.

Helen, says...
8:59pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Does anyone know the name of the rock band that were on the community stage (gateway fm) about 4.30pm today (sunday)I had a stall in the market village & we watched them & they were fantastic! could not get over to ask who they were, good to see some youngsters producing good music & I wish them all the luck possible

council worker, Basildon says...
9:19pm Sun 6 Jul 08

I was one of the council workers there . I was there both days.I thought it was a very good day, plenty of people visiting and very good bands . and good old Essex fm for coming down there. people shouldnt moan as it was a great day.

J H, Basildon says...
10:26pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Helen wrote:
Does anyone know the name of the rock band that were on the community stage (gateway fm) about 4.30pm today (sunday)I had a stall in the market village & we watched them & they were fantastic! could not get over to ask who they were, good to see some youngsters producing good music & I wish them all the luck possible
They were called 'kuda bux'

tony, basildon says...
6:40am Mon 7 Jul 08

does anyone know the official figures yet of how many was there on each individual day?

Michael, Basildon says...
9:59am Mon 7 Jul 08

Im glad to say I certainly was not there ths year.

Having gone last year and found it to be an excuse for many of the areas benefit vampires to crawl out for a days drinking in a field instead of at home or a pub I was not interested to repeat the experience.

The attractions were severly lacking, the only one of note being the dog display that took place. By that I dont mean the endless parade of young mums, most likely single, wheeling there prams around.

They are certainly worth a mention however. The many teens with swollen bellys or push chairs.
With the beer flowing and the near by woodland lets hope a few more where made that year!

Not suprisingly the most densely populated area of the festival was the beer tent and the grass in front of the stage, immediately opposite the beer hut.

Whilst walking around the park and seeing the event being prepared this year I was once again struck by the sub-par attractions that had been wheeled into place.

The rickety octopus rides and what appeared to be a single story haunted house which technically would be the incredibly sinister haunted Bungalow?

From the comments it seems the same problems were to be had with the music again this year. The previous was blisteringly loud and as such un-enjoyable.

Soemthing shoudl be said of the "headliners" this year. Loosers from a reality TV show from over two years ago now. I think they were at that high flying venue "Jumping Jaks" on the festival the same year they lost. Only now i suppose, after such high profile venues have lost interest, will they lower themselves to our humble local event.

Basfest unfortunately is a perfect mirror for what Basildon is. A crap venue with crap attractions.
"Basfest", "Basvegas", branding like this makes us a laughing stock.

Thats enough from me. Its time to plan my weekend. To go to the festival or not to go to the festival. The possibilites in Basildon are endless.


Trell, Basildon says...
4:40pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Michael wrote:
Im glad to say I certainly was not there ths year.

Having gone last year and found it to be an excuse for many of the areas benefit vampires to crawl out for a days drinking in a field instead of at home or a pub I was not interested to repeat the experience.

The attractions were severly lacking, the only one of note being the dog display that took place. By that I dont mean the endless parade of young mums, most likely single, wheeling there prams around.

They are certainly worth a mention however. The many teens with swollen bellys or push chairs.
With the beer flowing and the near by woodland lets hope a few more where made that year!

Not suprisingly the most densely populated area of the festival was the beer tent and the grass in front of the stage, immediately opposite the beer hut.

Whilst walking around the park and seeing the event being prepared this year I was once again struck by the sub-par attractions that had been wheeled into place.

The rickety octopus rides and what appeared to be a single story haunted house which technically would be the incredibly sinister haunted Bungalow?

From the comments it seems the same problems were to be had with the music again this year. The previous was blisteringly loud and as such un-enjoyable.

Soemthing shoudl be said of the "headliners" this year. Loosers from a reality TV show from over two years ago now. I think they were at that high flying venue "Jumping Jaks" on the festival the same year they lost. Only now i suppose, after such high profile venues have lost interest, will they lower themselves to our humble local event.

Basfest unfortunately is a perfect mirror for what Basildon is. A crap venue with crap attractions.
"Basfest", "Basvegas", branding like this makes us a laughing stock.

Thats enough from me. Its time to plan my weekend. To go to the festival or not to go to the festival. The possibilites in Basildon are endless.

What a terrible pre-judgement to make.

I was in attendance, and I didn't see a bunch of 'benefit dodgers' or huge volleys of pram-pushing single mums. I saw a mixture of people, youngsters, families (both parents present), elderly, and all. The event was definitley not a chav gathering.

The whole point of Basfest is to bring Basildon together as a community, and that's what I saw. People enjoying the music and the atmosphere, and just having fun.

If you're not going to bother attending community events because you want to stereotype the community that you live in, Michael, then that's your problem, but for everyone else who did bother to go, it was a surprisingly better event than I thought it would be...

...and before you say anything, no I don't work for the council, or have anything to do with Basfest, other than just going there with my partner to watch a friend of ours (Ease Springs) on the main stage on Sunday.

mr me, basildom says...
5:01pm Mon 7 Jul 08

tony wrote:
It was a great day but hugely disappointed with the sound on the main stage, we was halfway between the beer tent and the front to the right of the stage. There was too much bass and the vocals at time was not clear or loud enough as the music drowned the singing. but despite that it was a great day.Would have prefered better tribute acts like Complete Madness.
I worked at the basfest all weekend the problem we had with the sound system was the weather the wind was blowing onto the speakers so the sound was blowing away from the crowd you will find this alot at outdoor events and theres not alot we can do about this, as for the number of people at the event we did have marshals counting and belive we had 25.000 on saturday & 15.000 on sunday

Adam, Basildon says...
5:03pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Michael wrote:
Im glad to say I certainly was not there ths year. Having gone last year and found it to be an excuse for many of the areas benefit vampires to crawl out for a days drinking in a field instead of at home or a pub I was not interested to repeat the experience. The attractions were severly lacking, the only one of note being the dog display that took place. By that I dont mean the endless parade of young mums, most likely single, wheeling there prams around. They are certainly worth a mention however. The many teens with swollen bellys or push chairs. With the beer flowing and the near by woodland lets hope a few more where made that year! Not suprisingly the most densely populated area of the festival was the beer tent and the grass in front of the stage, immediately opposite the beer hut. Whilst walking around the park and seeing the event being prepared this year I was once again struck by the sub-par attractions that had been wheeled into place. The rickety octopus rides and what appeared to be a single story haunted house which technically would be the incredibly sinister haunted Bungalow? From the comments it seems the same problems were to be had with the music again this year. The previous was blisteringly loud and as such un-enjoyable. Soemthing shoudl be said of the "headliners" this year. Loosers from a reality TV show from over two years ago now. I think they were at that high flying venue "Jumping Jaks" on the festival the same year they lost. Only now i suppose, after such high profile venues have lost interest, will they lower themselves to our humble local event. Basfest unfortunately is a perfect mirror for what Basildon is. A crap venue with crap attractions. "Basfest", "Basvegas", branding like this makes us a laughing stock. Thats enough from me. Its time to plan my weekend. To go to the festival or not to go to the festival. The possibilites in Basildon are endless.
Thanks for that! If you do not want to go then fair enough but why write a derogatory essay about it on here! It is great for a free event and as said above there is a total mix of the community there, not just chavs etc. Dont like it, then dont go, as you dont, but why go on here and offend the efforts of everyone that is involved and helps to organise it? Who do you expect for free - U2!?

Linda, Basildon says...
8:19pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Please, not U2.That's music to slash your wrists to ------ Well maybe just for Michael!

mr me, basildon says...
8:23pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Adam wrote:
Michael wrote: Im glad to say I certainly was not there ths year. Having gone last year and found it to be an excuse for many of the areas benefit vampires to crawl out for a days drinking in a field instead of at home or a pub I was not interested to repeat the experience. The attractions were severly lacking, the only one of note being the dog display that took place. By that I dont mean the endless parade of young mums, most likely single, wheeling there prams around. They are certainly worth a mention however. The many teens with swollen bellys or push chairs. With the beer flowing and the near by woodland lets hope a few more where made that year! Not suprisingly the most densely populated area of the festival was the beer tent and the grass in front of the stage, immediately opposite the beer hut. Whilst walking around the park and seeing the event being prepared this year I was once again struck by the sub-par attractions that had been wheeled into place. The rickety octopus rides and what appeared to be a single story haunted house which technically would be the incredibly sinister haunted Bungalow? From the comments it seems the same problems were to be had with the music again this year. The previous was blisteringly loud and as such un-enjoyable. Soemthing shoudl be said of the \"headliners\" this year. Loosers from a reality TV show from over two years ago now. I think they were at that high flying venue \"Jumping Jaks\" on the festival the same year they lost. Only now i suppose, after such high profile venues have lost interest, will they lower themselves to our humble local event. Basfest unfortunately is a perfect mirror for what Basildon is. A crap venue with crap attractions. \"Basfest\", \"Basvegas\", branding like this makes us a laughing stock. Thats enough from me. Its time to plan my weekend. To go to the festival or not to go to the festival. The possibilites in Basildon are endless.
Thanks for that! If you do not want to go then fair enough but why write a derogatory essay about it on here! It is great for a free event and as said above there is a total mix of the community there, not just chavs etc. Dont like it, then dont go, as you dont, but why go on here and offend the efforts of everyone that is involved and helps to organise it? Who do you expect for free - U2!?
well said !!!!!!!

mr me, basildon says...
8:25pm Mon 7 Jul 08

tony wrote:
does anyone know the official figures yet of how many was there on each individual day?
25.000 saturday and 15.000 sunday

fan, says...
8:14am Tue 8 Jul 08

Helen wrote:
Does anyone know the name of the rock band that were on the community stage (gateway fm) about 4.30pm today (sunday)I had a stall in the market village & we watched them & they were fantastic! could not get over to ask who they were, good to see some youngsters producing good music & I wish them all the luck possible
I think they are called "Kudabucks" (not sure about the spelling). Weren't they great especially Josh on drums and lead vocal Freddie.

mrs m, says...
11:40am Tue 8 Jul 08

Having read what michael said he is completly right it is a day where all the local **** head n druggies can sit about all day and drink and do drugs whilst having some free music to listen to and they get to catch up with all their lager lout mates coz theyre all be there and why are so many people able to do drugs sitting there with all the so called security. I went last year and few times before having been dragged there being told my kids would enjoy it which they did not I have now left Basildon and moved far away thank god so didnt have to watch all the drunkards leaving as i use to live right near there and no one could try and convince me it would be different this year and to go and after talking to various people who are still living in basildon it was exactly the same as it is every year so people are just blind to the sort of people that live in Basildon the majority of young people are druggies and lager louts and its about time people faced up to the fact Basildon is a dive and it certainly shouldnt be celebrated it is a terrible place to live and a terrible place to bring up a family and before people start thinking im a bitter old woman no i am not i am 22 and have been one of these young uns sitting over there drinking all day so i know what goes on luckly for me i wanted better in my life and left the so called bas vegas

Mr Lavender, Essex says...
7:15pm Tue 8 Jul 08

mr me wrote:
tony wrote: does anyone know the official figures yet of how many was there on each individual day?
25.000 saturday and 15.000 sunday
Is that an averaged figure, does anyone know, i.e. did they click numbers for an hour and average the figures out ?

I doubt there was really 40,000.

mr me, basildon says...
9:28pm Tue 8 Jul 08

Mr Lavender wrote:
mr me wrote:
tony wrote: does anyone know the official figures yet of how many was there on each individual day?
25.000 saturday and 15.000 sunday
Is that an averaged figure, does anyone know, i.e. did they click numbers for an hour and average the figures out ? I doubt there was really 40,000.
we did have clickers on both gates all day, at the end of the day a great time was had by all saturday was packed solid what alse can you ask for!!

trell, basildon says...
3:06pm Wed 9 Jul 08

mrs m wrote:
Having read what michael said he is completly right it is a day where all the local **** head n druggies can sit about all day and drink and do drugs whilst having some free music to listen to and they get to catch up with all their lager lout mates coz theyre all be there and why are so many people able to do drugs sitting there with all the so called security. I went last year and few times before having been dragged there being told my kids would enjoy it which they did not I have now left Basildon and moved far away thank god so didnt have to watch all the drunkards leaving as i use to live right near there and no one could try and convince me it would be different this year and to go and after talking to various people who are still living in basildon it was exactly the same as it is every year so people are just blind to the sort of people that live in Basildon the majority of young people are druggies and lager louts and its about time people faced up to the fact Basildon is a dive and it certainly shouldnt be celebrated it is a terrible place to live and a terrible place to bring up a family and before people start thinking im a bitter old woman no i am not i am 22 and have been one of these young uns sitting over there drinking all day so i know what goes on luckly for me i wanted better in my life and left the so called bas vegas
So, you weren't there then, but still want to slag off the event?

Where do you live now, Mrs M? I'm curious, because I've yet to find a town in the UK where lager louts, druggies or chavs don't exist.

The only difference between Basildon & just about every other town of its size in the UK is the stereotyping of the residents, something which you seem keen to do.

Basildon is what you make of it. It's not Shangri-la, but it's a decent enough place, no better or worse than 1001 other places in the UK.

And what's worse? A festival with a bunch of people who are all having a good time, or a festival where nobody turns up because they're all hung up about mingling with 'That Sort'?

Give me 100 sociable chavs over 1 stuck up snob, any day of the week!

Pro-Basildon, Basildon says...
10:09pm Wed 9 Jul 08

It is a shame there are so many negative comments here, maybe Basildon Council should not try and bring the community together, maybe they should stop trying to making Basildon better than it already is?
What do you think?
I think if you don't like it get out and if you do get involved and make our town!!!
This Festival is not Basildon Council's it is ours the community!!!

Alison, Basildon says...
12:18am Thu 10 Jul 08

mrs m wrote:
Having read what michael said he is completly right it is a day where all the local **** head n druggies can sit about all day and drink and do drugs whilst having some free music to listen to and they get to catch up with all their lager lout mates coz theyre all be there and why are so many people able to do drugs sitting there with all the so called security. I went last year and few times before having been dragged there being told my kids would enjoy it which they did not I have now left Basildon and moved far away thank god so didnt have to watch all the drunkards leaving as i use to live right near there and no one could try and convince me it would be different this year and to go and after talking to various people who are still living in basildon it was exactly the same as it is every year so people are just blind to the sort of people that live in Basildon the majority of young people are druggies and lager louts and its about time people faced up to the fact Basildon is a dive and it certainly shouldnt be celebrated it is a terrible place to live and a terrible place to bring up a family and before people start thinking im a bitter old woman no i am not i am 22 and have been one of these young uns sitting over there drinking all day so i know what goes on luckly for me i wanted better in my life and left the so called bas vegas
Comments like this really make my blood boil! There are all types of characters in every town - and yes "Mrs M" they will be in YOUR lovely town too!! I have lived in Basildon for most of my 40 years, I have moved away for small periods, but have always come back!! I feel that this is my home and I am annoyed that people like you are insulting me because of where I live!! Yes, there were drunk people there, yes, there were druggies there, but there was also alot of decent families from babies to 60,70,even 80 years that were there enjoying the day.I was there with my six year old daughter for both days and we both had a great time. If you are so happy where you are, great!! But why come on this website citing your drivel???

Riahhhhhhhh, Wickford says...
9:35am Mon 14 Jul 08

Loved It

Loved Every Single Moment Of It

Loved Being With All My Friends

Love KudaBux

:)

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