Making Dorsetfest 2024

With the year coming to the end, we thought it would be great to share an overview of what it takes to make Dorsetfest a success, and to say “thank you” to everyone involved.  It takes a lot of effort to get to this…

We’re fortunate to have a stunning location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It does have some slopes that can with make access tricky (but the team will always go out of the way to help anyone with mobility issues access and enjoy the festival), but this creates a natural amphitheatre with plenty of camping.  The support of Catherine and Justin also allows the festival the freedom needed to set up, despite the disruption it brings to this working farm.

The behind-the-scenes planning takes all year, with a group of volunteers meeting regularly as a committee and working between meetings on their actions. Fortunately, it’s a great team, we’re raising money for some great causes, and we all love the day, so it’s a pleasure to be involved. That said, 2024 was a bigger year where we officially became a Community Interest Company to ensure we can make the most of the fundraising opportunities to benefit the community.

As we approach the festival date, we need to get into the physical setup. The stage, the various marquees, the Revell Inn, the campsite, etc. This is possible thanks to 10 years of experience to build on in the planning and organising, and supported in the build by a great team of willing volunteers.

On the day volunteers were on hand to make the day run smoothly. From the parking and access, through to managing the information tent (who clearly had too much time on their hands), organising the camping, manning a number of stalls such as the Revell Inn and the BBQ tent, and just being on hand to help when needed. All easily identifiable in their distinctive t-shirts.

We’d also like to highlight a particular team who are key to Dorsetfest’s success. The “Purple Safety Team” who create the plans and processes to ensure this family festival is a safe family environment, ensuring aspects such as security and first aid cover are on hand so you can concentrate on having fun.

We also had a range of sponsors and patrons who helped offset the costs. Sponsors included Wessex Internet (who provided free wifi at the festival), Langham Wines, Kernon-Kelleher Solicitors, Vanguard Photography and Outdoors, Aller Dorset, Walbridge Motor Company, Oil Heating Services and Synergy Farm Health.

During the festival itself we had a great selection of children’s and adult’s activities and stalls in keeping with our aim to be a family friendly festival. With Jamie Jigsaw, the Bubble Man, Mad 4 Animals, Festidolls face painting and a bouncy castle for the kids. For the adults there were stalls such as Charles Tibbey, Trifle Bazaar and Wilder and Wren, alongside Thai Chi and a holistic zone.

There was also a great selection of food and drink that catered to all tastes in the Fodder Field, with a few naughty treats for those with a sweet tooth. Across the weekend these included Portland Paella, The Lentilist, Fai’s Thai, Basilico Wood Fired Pizza, Cheeky Fox Churros, Holy Crepe and the Dorsetfest BBQ. All washed down with a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from Langham Wines and Dorsetfest’s Revell Inn. With a much needed caffeine hit from Coffee To Go Go.

As ever, it’s the music that takes centre stage, and we had some great acts offering a wide range of music over the weekend, including Cheselbourne Village School, Theo Gibson, Nory J, Piano Pete, Black Sheep, Rootstone, The Phoggues, The Leggomen and Chief Lazarus.

But the most important “thank you” is to everyone who came to the festival to enjoy the weekend and create a great atmosphere for all the family to enjoy.  We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Here's a short video that gives a feel for the festival to one of Theo Gibson's songs.

Thanks to everyone’s support, the festival made £28,000 which has all gone back to the community and charities that Dorsetfest set out to support. Maintaining the three churches of Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, alongside the Ansty Village Hall and Julia’s House.

So a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved and here’s to a great new year for all, and to Dorsetfest 2025.