Leeds

It’s a Rock festival so we expect things to get a bit lively. We expect cold or overcast weather and even rain if previous years are anything to go by, but to hear radio traffic requesting water bousers to dampen down dusty vehicle tracks and requests for dust masks by stewards was a little surprising, especially after spending most of 2007 dealing with the rain and mud at over ¾ of the festivals.

It came as a bit of a shock to have to think about running out of suntan lotion and legionnaires hats at Leeds, but the impossible happened and we had hot sunny weather for the duration of the festival.

After crew camp space issues in 2005/06, 2007 saw a brand new stewarding camp site with some spectacular views over the Bramham Park estate.  We have Mean Fiddler to thank for this and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed by me, Paddy or the rest of the stewarding crew and the addition of our very own water tap made the drinks run’s considerably easier than in previous years

We had some additional help from 'Attitude is Everything' for the first time on the disabled platforms at Leeds this year, and I think you will all agree that they did a cracking job.  So lets hope that they’re back again in 2008.

Musically, the weekend was once again filled with the kind of rock that only the Reading/Leeds weekend can provide.  With something for everyone who enjoys a good headbang, the main stage and smaller stages alike were filled with some of the best that the world of rock and alternative music has to offer.  Personal highlights were definitely Nine Inch Nails, Arcade Fire and Razorlight, but I am sure that everyone who was there can list their own personal hits of the weekend.  Topped off with a fine line up of comedy and performance art, this small but perfectly formed festival has loads to offer by way of entertainment.

To sum up. Leeds just seems to get better each year and that’s in no small part down to you, the stewards, supervisors, shift deputies, shift leaders and buggy drivers that keep coming back to help us raise over £50,000 for Oxfam’s work around the world to help elevate poverty and suffering.

You All Rock Big Style.

Thanks for all your help and support.

John and Paddy