Festival Frequently Asked Questions
Buddhafield Festival 2013 | Wednesday 17 — Sunday 21 July
Book tickets | Volunteer’s Needed | Festival FAQs
Meditation | Image © Charlotte Baxter 2012
These are the most common enquiries we receive. There are answers to all these questions on the website, but if you can’t find the Q or A you need try the Festival Contacts list.
something Greater than us happens there in those (at times muddy) fields
| ... Or check out the complete list of Buddhafield Festival contacts | |
| Q | What happens to lost property? |
| A | Due to the volume of lost property and lack of storage space, we can keep items for only one month after the festival. That time has now passed. All items were either destroyed or donated to a charity shop. |
| Q | What are the dates for the 2013 Buddhafield Festival? |
| A | Wednesday 17 — Sunday 21 July 2013 |
| Q | Where is the Festival site? |
| A | About 7 miles south-west of Taunton, Somerset. Taunton is the nearest railway station. You will get exact directions with your ticket. We will run a shuttle bus service from the train station on the Wednesday (to arrive), Sunday and Monday (to leave). We don’t routinely publish exact site location on the site to dissuade random visitors. |
| Q | I’m a volunteer and my Area Coordinator hasn’t sent me travel directions. How do I get to the site? |
| A | You can find help on the getting there page or contact the Festival Office |
| Q | How much are the tickets? |
| A | A full price list can be found on the tickets page. |
| Q | How do I buy tickets? |
| A |
Online: through this website by credit/debit card via PayPal (you don’t need a Paypal account).
Cheque: for concession prices print off a booking form and send us proof of low income with your cheque. Please note that we cannot take payments over the phone. |
| Q | I can’t come for the whole thing. Do you sell weekend or day tickets? |
| A |
The Festival is at it’s most satisfying for everyone if you come for the whole event. Weekend tickets only become available if there is sufficent demand.
Day Tickets are available from the ticket office on site on our last day, Sunday 21 July only, costing £20 per adult (no charge for children or cars). |
| Q | I’m registered disabled: do I have to pay for parking? |
| A | Not if you have a ‘Blue Badge’: please show this to the stewards on arrival. |
| Q | My ticket hasn’t arrived |
| A | For all ticket-related questions email the Tickets Co-ordinator |
| Q | I need a refund on my ticket |
| A | You must return your tickets to the Festival Office by July 2 2013. Refunds will not be given at the ticket office on site, nor after the event. |
| Q | I forgot to book a live-in / car pass — what should I do? |
| A | If you don’t want to buy one online you can buy one on the gate (cash/cheque only: we can’t process credit or debit cards in the field) |
| Q | I’d like to volunteer to work at this year’s Festival |
| A | For an overview of Festival volunteering visit the main volunteering page. You can apply through the crew page for the Buddhafield Café, Decor Crew, Padma Pancakes, Recycling Team, Site Crew, Steward Crew, Take-Down Crew, Toilet Wizards. If a link is greyed out, that crew is fully recruited. People do drop out, so check the main volunteering page right up to the day the Festival opens. |
| Q | I’d like to work in the Buddhafield Café. |
| A | Find out what’s involved and volunteer through the Festival Café Crew page. |
| Q | I’d like to teach yoga at this year’s Festival |
| A | All the places on our yoga teaching team are taken. |
| Q | I’d like to do healing at the Festival |
| A | Visit the Healing Garden volunteer page |
| Q | I’d like to have a stall at this year’s Festival |
| A | Have a look at the trader applications page. You can contact the Traders Co-ordinator from there. |
| Q | I’m a musician, I’d like to have a gig at this year’s Festival |
| A | Sorry, but we’re already inundated by applications from musicians |
| Q | I’d like to lead a workshop at the Festival |
| A | Fill in the proposal form on Workshop Leaders page. |
| Q | I’d like to perform at this year’s Festival |
| A | Contact the Live Arts Co-ordinator |
| Q | I am a Buddhist monk from abroad: can I teach the Dharma and meditation at your Festival? I need an invitation to apply for a visa. |
| A | We are happy to discuss ideas for contributing to the Dharma Parlour, but we cannot help with visa applications. If you are unfamiliar with the British festival scene then please ensure that you understand what kind of festival Buddhafield actually is before you pursue the matter. If you still think Buddhafield sounds really interesting, email the Dharma Parlour Co-ordinator |
| Q | I have a disability: can I still come to the Festival? |
| A | Yes. There’s some guidance for Disabled ticket holders on the Camping and Live-ins page |
| Q | We want you to advertise your Festival with us |
| A | Contact our Publicity Team |
| Q | Can I bring a live-in vehicle or caravan? |
| A | Yes, unless it’s a very large motor home (e.g. a Winnebago), a full-size coach or over 7.5 tons. You will need to buy a live-in vehicle pass. See the Live-ins section of the camping page for complete information. |
| Q | Can I bring my dog? |
| A | We’re sorry, but no. Our experience tends towards seeing dogs inadequately or inconsiderately cared for. Under certain circumstances — including the length of time key crew spend on site — we may offer an exception, but we can’t extend this to ticket holders |
| Q | Can I buy food at the Festival? |
| A | Yes, we expect several stalls on site to be selling fresh fruit and veg. We also hope to have a wholefood stall again this year, who can even bring things in by request. Contact them on arrival (see the site map). There are a number of vegan / vegetarian cafés on site. More information on the food & traders page |
| Q | Will there be music? What’s sorts? And when does it stop?! |
| A | We offer ample opportunities to practise meditation, but not under retreat conditions. There will be a range of amplified and acoustic music, programmed and impromptu, in various venues and cafés around the site. We have DJ sessions and a number of dance workshops throughout the day. See our performance page for information about Programme Times and our Noise Policy |
| Q | I’m gay: will I be welcome? |
| A | Absolutely. Look for the Queer Dome if you feel the need for support. Find out more on our Areas & Spaces page |
| Q | Do you have Twelve Step presence? |
| A | Yes. Find out about them on our Healing and Bodywork page |
| Q | I’m a woman coming on my own. I’m a bit nervous... |
| A | We provide a Women’s Space, as well as a supportive area for women and mothers in the Association of Radical Midwives yurt. In our recent survey many women said how comfortable and safe they felt coming on their own, as well as the Festival offering a safe space for single mums. Find it on the site map when you arrive: they have a camping area for women only; more on our Areas & Spaces page |
| Q | I have marquees / solar power rig / a tractor. Want to hire my gear? |
| A | Contact the Site Crew Co-ordinator |
