Bars, food and drink

You don’t have to be 18 to attend V but you must be 18 or over to purchase alcoholic drinks.V operates the ‘Challenge 21’ policy. If you look under 21 please do not be offended if we ask you for proof of age when you buy alcohol. Please bring proof of ID to show you are over 18. PASS is the recognised national proof of ID card. Click here to apply for a PASS card. Do not buy alcohol for persons under the age of 18 if you do you risk being ejected from the festival.

There are a number of bars located around the site serving alcohol (to over 18’s only) and soft drinks during licensed hours. The bars are operated on a token system. Tokens are purchased from the token booths then exchanged at the bar for drinks. Some token booths will remain open for 1 hour after the bars have closed so vouchers can be redeemed.

The bars work on a token system, which operates as follows:

• Tokens are purchased from the token booths in the arena.
• Tokens are redeemable for alcoholic drinks at any bar other than the Bacardi Bar.
• All tokens must be complete and legible.
• Tokens purchased for Friday and Saturday can be used on Sunday.
• Refunds will only be given on the day of purchase from the designated token booths during the last hour that the bars are trading. The times will be displayed on the token booths.

Remember that drinking and driving is an offence; don’t risk the life of yourself and others or risk your licence.

Alcohol will dehydrate you, pace yourself and top up with water or soft drinks.

Bringing Drinks

You can bring water and soft drinks (no alcohol) into the arena. It must be in collapsible plastic, foil or cardboard containers of not more than 1 litre in size.  You can bring alcoholic and soft drinks onto the campsites however, there is a strict NO GLASS policy and any glass discovered will be confiscated.

Water

There are standpipes that contain FREE drinking water in the campsites and the arena, please bring a plastic container that you can refill. If you are taking the container into the arena it must be no more than 1 liter in size. You can also purchase water at most catering units throughout the site.

If you need to take in more than 1 liter, due to health problems, please alert a Steward who will contact their supervisor.

Cash Machines

There are a limited number of cash machines in the arena, which do get busy so please be prepared to queue.

Telephones

Those smashing people at Virgin Mobile will once again supply Virgin Mobiles for you to use for a small donation to charity. They will also supply free mobile charging points regardless of your usual network

Merchandise and Bands

There are merchandise stalls on site selling official V and band merchandise, these are the only official vendors. Don’t buy from any unofficial vendors or you may find your ‘bargain’ has fallen apart after the first wash.

Band running times to purchase with the programme or the souvenir running times. These are available from the merchandise stands or the official roaming sellers.

Stage and Admittance

The Stage 3 Arena, Virgin Media Union and other tented structures have a set capacity that, by law, we cannot exceed. If there is a particular artist you want to see, you should check their performance time and ensure you are there early, as we cannot guarantee admittance to these areas. Closed-off structures will not be re-opened until after the band has finished. If you cannot get access, we recommend you go and enjoy a band at an alternative stage.

Crowd surfing and moshing are dangerous to yourself and those around you, DON’T DO IT or you risk being ejected from the festival site without a refund.

Rubbish

There are plenty of bins provided which are emptied each night.

Toilets and Showers

There are toilets in the campsites and the arena that are cleaned and emptied throughout the weekend. We all know that festival toilets can generally be unpleasant to use, so please help us by keeping them clean; it will be mutually beneficial. Always wash your hands after using the toilets. DO NOT use the surrounding woods as if you are found doing so, you will be ejected from the festival.

There are warm water showers in the campsites, at peak usage time the water pressure can be slower. Please be aware that the queues can be long first thing in the morning.

Children

Children 5 and under are welcome free of charge and do not need a ticket but, due to the nature of festivals, we do not recommend you bring small children. We do not have child care/minding facilities at V. Persons aged 16 and under by law must now be accompanied by an adult.

If you are bringing a child to V then you should on arrival go to the Welfare area which is situated near the Wristband Exchange Tent. Staff in the Welfare area will have a supply of child wristbands. You should obtain one of these write your mobile number on the wristband and affix it firmly to your childs wrist. This should enable us to contact you should your child become separated from you.

You should also make it a priority on arrival to ensure that your child/ren are made familiar of their surroundings so that should they become separated from you that they will know to go to one of the areas where they will find a person that can help. You should make them aware of the following areas:

Welfare Area - where welfare staff are situated.

The Police - There is an onsite police station and uniformed police in and around the arena and campsites.

Gates - where stewards and security are situated.

First Aid points - where medical staff are situated.

Campsite towers - Security towers in the campsites where security staff are situated.

Virgin Mobile Information Points - Where Virgin Angels are situated.

If a child is found to be without their parents or guardians they will be taken to the Welfare Area.

Emergency Services

There is a 24 hour medical centre and other first aid points with fully qualified doctors, nurses, ambulances and St John’s staff. Please familiarise yourself with their location. There are also trained welfare staff, to help with personal problems, who are available 24 hours and situated in the Welfare Tent. The Samaritans are also on hand to offer assistance.

Full emergency services include a Police Station, Ambulance and Fire Service. If you need any assistance DO NOT call 999 as you will unnecessarily tie up services from a nearby town.

We have a full chemist on site however, please be aware that no prescription drugs are available.

Fires

Local fire regulations do not permit fires anywhere on the festival site, if you light a fire it will be extinguished.

Neighbours

We are very privileged to be able to use Weston Park and would like to continue to do so. We need your help to keep the local community happy. Please ensure you leave the park quietly, do not park in the surrounding roads, as you will be towed away. Ensure you follow the traffic signs for the festival.

Noise

We have no doubt that you will wear sun cream to protect your skin and wear sun glasses to protect your eyes, but have you thought about your hearing? Click here and visit www.dontlosethemusic.com to find out how to protect your hearing.

Charity Tent Collection

The Rotary Club of Brewood & District will be on site on Monday collecting tents and other camping gear that has been left behind in a salvageable condition. This will all be collected, stored and used in international disasters such as the Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 and the earthquake in Pakistan last year.

PLEASE NOTE.  We feel that due to so many outlets offering very cheap camping gear that in recent years too many tents have been left behind, it is impossible for the charities to collect them all and many of them have gone to waste, we ask that if you would like your tent to go to charity that you fold it down and leave it at the collection point near to the exit of the campsites.  Please think about the environment and don't leave unwanted tents behind because you may have purchased it cheaply.

Security and Safety

If you don’t need it - don't bring it! Carry money, credit cards, mobile phones, cameras, etc with you at all times. Don't assume that you've hidden it well in your tent. V has a very good safety history however, festivals do attract criminals who spend summer touring the festivals and stealing from tents and cars. We work closely with the Police and Security to try to alleviate the problems. There is a lock-up facility based in the Welfare Tent for your use.

Mark your property with your name and postcode only, thieves don’t want marked property and it will significantly reduce the risk of items being stolen. Tag your keys with your phone number and a friend’s address. We find many keys after the event and marking them means we can return them to you.

Leave your tent untidy don’t make it easy for thieves to grab a bag with everything in it.

When asleep, hide your money, etc carefully and don't put everything together. Too much drink can make you sleep heavily and you may not hear somebody entering your tent.

If you see anybody acting suspiciously anywhere in the festival site, please alert a Steward or the Police. You can also alert Crimestoppers who will be based at the festival.

If you think you’ve had an item stolen, please go to the Welfare Tent as it may have been handed in.

Ensure you know where your nearest emergency exits are.

Follow any instructions given by Stewards, Security and Police

Move away from any dangerous/antisocial behaviour and alert Security if they are not already in the immediate vicinity.

Welfare

Look after yourself and those around you, even people you don’t know. If you suspect somebody is unwell take them to the first aid tent. If they are not moving, please alert a Steward immediately who will call for the necessary help. Please don’t attempt to move them as you may do more harm than good.

If you need to take medication regularly remember to bring it and let your friends know of any illness or allergies you may have.

Visit the Welfare Area if you need.

Samaritans is a registered charity whose aim is to make emotional health a mainstream issue. Samaritans believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. Festival Branch is one of over 200 Samaritan branches; with the difference of offering face-to-face emotional support at various out-door events throughout Britain. If you're at V and feel you need to talk something through we are available 24hours a day for the duration of the event.
For more information on festival branch and which events we will be attending, please visit: www.festivalsamaritans.org

Illegal substances

It is a condition of entry on our licence that you allow yourself and your belongings to be searched by the Police or Security. They will carry out random searches when you are entering the festival site and arena. Do not attempt to bring in illegal substances as you stand a very real chance of being caught.

We do not condone the use of drugs but please remember that unfamiliar surroundings and large crowds are not the place to experiment with drugs or alcohol. If you see somebody who appears to be having a bad time, please alert a Steward who will seek help. Do not assume that they need water. We have trained drug advisors on site who will help, as well as full medical facilities. Further information can be obtained from the 24 hour National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.com. Need advice on alcohol? Call 0800 917 8282 or visit www.wrecked.co.uk

Getting Intimate

Meeting new and exciting people goes hand in hand at V, but remember you can’t tell just by looking at somebody what they are really like or if they have a sexually transmitted disease. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you are not in full control. If you do feel the time, place and person is right, then always let your friends know where you are going and with whom and always use a condom. Visit the Welfare Tent, Campsite Control, First Aid, Police Station or alert a Steward if you are at all concerned. For more information on sexual health and advice visit www.playingsafely.co.uk