Green Man Festival Disability Access Guide

The Green Man is committed to making the event as accessible as possible for people with disabilities and efforts have been made to achieve this where we can. However, we do encourage everyone to take responsibility for themselves when deciding whether to come or not because this is an outdoor event in the Brecon Beacons and is therefore inherently difficult for anyone with a mobility related disability. If you would find it hard to make your way across grassland you will find it difficult on the festival site.

The Estate is set amongst the beautiful Brecon Beacons. The park is surrounded by woodland, the river Usk, open grass land and a deer park.

Camping, Kids Area and the Mountain Stage are situated at one level, and the Far Out, Far Out After Dark, Walled Garden Stage, Film Tent and Literature Tent are situated at a higher level. There are viewing platforms for wheelchair users at the Far Out Stage. The gradient between these areas depends on which route you take, and we advise people with disabilities to go via the camp-site and through the left of the stable area when going up the hill as the gradient is easier to access. Movement between the two areas will present challenges for wheelchair users and those with serious mobility issues. However, with a little help here and there it is manageable. Once you arrive at each area the terrain is flat and a tarmac covered road links the entertainment areas at the higher end of the event site. However, you will still need to cover some grassy areas once you leave the road to enter the different areas. Wheelchairs and scooters will be available for hire from www.eventmobility.org.uk in the Disability Camping Area. These must be booked in advance and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Getting Around

The terrain is predominantly grassland, so movement around the main arena and other stages is possible for fit wheelchair users, but in wet conditions this can change drastically and the ground can become very muddy. The valley floor has a gentle slope running from one end to another which is quite easy to negotiate. But the routes between the upper and lower areas are steep and a manual wheelchair user will require help in places when moving from the valley bottom to the higher end. Electric wheelchairs can tackle most areas without too much hindrance but the ground is quite uneven in places. Some areas of the festival are very steep, especially the route on front of the open air stage to the upper area. The festival is small but spread out over quite a distance too, so movement from one end to the other requires quite a bit of effort.

The stages and stalls are positioned relatively close to one another so movement throughout the day and evening is not overwhelming although energy will soon be used up if many trips backwards and forwards are made.

Camping

Camping facilities are spread over a significant area of the park and everyone is free to choose where they camp however, careful consideration should be given to the choice of camping area. The distance to and from the general camping areas is great and in places the gradients are severe. Not all of the paths or roads are tarmac.

The Disability Camping Area is positioned next to the Family Camping Area and is in the most logical place for anyone with mobility issues. It is about 5 minutes stroll from the main arena and close to a tarmac road that leads into various parts of the festival.

Some people are worried that the Disability Camping Area might be too close to the main stage and therefore noisy at night. It is not that close so this won’t be a problem but festivals are noisy by nature, so it is always advisable to bring ear plugs along just in case.

Groups can camp together in the Disability Camping Area, but this must be arranged when purchasing your ticket.

Facilities

• Electric wheelchairs and scooters available for hire from www.eventmobility.org.uk
• Charging points for electric wheelchairs and scooters available in the Disability Camping Area
• Refrigeration for medical supplies is available by prior arrangement
• Certain medical support is available from the onsite medical centre but any specific medical needs should be discussed before purchasing a ticket
• Disabled toilets will be positioned around the festival
• Stewards will be on hand to help with any issues that may arise during the weekend

Tickets Information

The Green Man is committed to making the event as accessible as possible and great efforts have been made to achieve this where reasonable.

The festival is an outdoor event in the Brecon Hills and as such it will be inherently difficult for anyone with a serious disability. To help overcome this problem as much as possible the Green Man will provide a complimentary carer ticket and if required a pass enabling them to park a car in the Disability Camping Area.

To apply for a complimentary carer ticket please send the below information to Kate Garbutt, either by email, info@greenman.net or Green Man Festival, PO Box. 65861, London EC2P 2HB

• A photocopy of the most recent letter of entitlement to Disability Living Allowance from the DWP
• The name of your carer / helper that will be with you.
• Your contact details- name, address, email and phone number.
• To buy tickets you can purchase them from http://www.ticketline.co.uk/green-man and send us your booking reference along with your documentation.

For any further enquiries please contact Kate Garbutt by email info@greenman.net