Teen DD off to the Reading festival next week, tips please!

[BigSandyBalls2015]

There was a fab thread on here last year with loads of tips but I can't find it.

17 year old DD is off there next week with ten mates. What does she need to take, what aren't you allowed to take.

www.chemist-4-u.com/traveljane-disposable-urinal-3-pack?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4-Pbn8f-3AIVw7ztCh08rAKMEAYYAiABEgLn2PD_BwE
ekend.

The above were a life saver when it got very cold overnight at a festival this weekend and I couldn't face the trek to the loos. Easy to use, no smell and each one holds bout 3 wees. Good for vomit too.

I've not been to the festival yet but I've lived in Reading all of my life so if she wants any ideas for cheap places to pick up any bits they need or for places to eat I'm happy to help.

From friends and family that have been, alot of them recommended dry shampoo and wet wipes because the queue's for the showers can be a bloody nightmare.

Reading is a nice place and the people that live locally are well used to the festival and most locals are happy to point anyone lost in the right direction.

I hope your DD has an amazing and safe time.

I second that ohtheholidays. We Reading people are helpful and friendly. I live 300 metres as the crow flies from the main stage so I will be out in my back garden listening to the music and watching the fireworks.

Depending on her age and past behaviour etc you could tell her (with either bribe or punishment) that you will be drug testing her when she gets home.
Drug tests are dirt cheap from Amazon.

What the actual fuck. That’s weird

Torch and loo roll

Thanks all, esp Gareth, that's super helpful

I found cereal bars to be a handy snack for breakfasts. No Messing about, easy to eat

You're welcome BigSandy - lots of top tips on here!

Despite the age group it attracts (90% are 16-18yo, incl. the GCSE results crowd/first ever festival/holiday with no parents lurking - chaos basically!) I find it an amazingly well run event.

Festival Republic are very good at what they do. I imagine the terms of the licence, the duty of care and the proximity to town dictate this.

It's a complete fashion parade, all the teens are out to impress the opposite sex and quite a bit of experimentation takes place I imagine

Stick with friends and stay safe! It's nothing like as lairy as it used to be, honest!

Tell her to stay away from drugs. Even if she’s the most sensible girl in the world, tell her again.

You can definitely try but it certainly didn't stop me Might be better to encourage her to try and stay as sensible as possible and make sure she stays with her friends. I don't want to scare you but I went to Reading for the first time last year (been to tonnes of festivals, just never that one for some reason) and I was a bit struck by how young and completely fucked up everyone was. Their searching policy is non existent. Some festivals are weird like that...if you've grown out of drugs Secret Garden Party, for example, is a very strange experience. I reckon about 70% of the people you meet are on Molly the whole time. It's a bit boring tbh but then again I'm in my thirties now

Tell her to take loo rolls.

Hahahaha Thisnamechanger that kind of puts paid to my last message! Admittedly I don't spend a lot of time in the campsites, I'm usually passing through
The campsites are carnage - drinking and drugs - but then it depends on how sensible a group is. Hence the need for friends looking out for each other. Camp next to nice people if you get the chance, maybe befriend people in the queue and camp alongside so you're not surrounded by lunatics!
Green campsite is usually a good shout, close enough to the arena. White is calmer but far away. Purple and Brown have always been a bit lairy imo. I never go to Yellow or Orange, think they are on par with Green. Red is the first one you set foot in if arriving by train so attracts a mixed crowd as some won't want to walk their stuff further into the campsites.

They're allowed campfires (all wood must be bought on site this year) but not after 6 or 8pm on Sunday. There used to be a traditional of setting light to stuff on Sunday (particularly at Leeds) but that's stopped. There are manned fire towers all over the place and fire patrols (as well as the fire brigade, obviously)!

DS and DD went to a festival a couple of weeks ago and they bought Festakits from Amazon, which they said were ace.
They said the kits contained things even they hadn't thought of and they had male and female options too.

Hope all your DCs have fun - mine did, although they were shattered

looks like the general tips are dont take drugs (because you might die and you are feeding crime even if you dont), wear sunscreen, dont get so drunk you are vulnerable, take your rubbish and possessions home and use a decent phone with a battery that lasts two weeks, not a whizzy brick.

with the exception of 'get someone to guard the toilet because people think it fun ny to tip it over' these all seem to be rules for life!

My info may be off re. the campsites, Green and Yellow are definitely popular (closest to the arena, lots of traders and amenities) but very loud (take earplugs if that bothers you!).

Orange has a reputation some years. I thought Purple and Brown seemed lairy (they're not as close to arena and seemed to be full of obnoxious types who arrived late and couldn't camp in Green/Yellow/Orange as full up) but some say they're the nicest?! I think it's very much luck of the draw depending on who camps next to you tbh.

The security lockers seem to have sold out but there's still the option of securing things at lost property for £2 (24hr access).

specialsubject that's the truth isn't it

I liked the pp's suggestion of disposable urinals, top idea and a bargain to boot!

The toilets in the arena are actually pretty decent! Loads and loads of portacabins with actual proper flushing toilets, toilet paper, communal sinks and mirrors! And hand dryers/paper towels! Stewards at the entrance. A far cry from my early festival days
I think it's portaloos or long drops in the campsites however bleurgh.

Live local to the festival. Top tip is a shop in caversham local shopping centre called Terrys. It sells anything she's missing. Go to Iceland not waitrose. Both supermarkets are asking for ID of 25 for booze so turn left over the bridge and go to the corner shop off church street for ale.

Don't forget to try to visit some of the beautiful parts of Reading.

Just kidding! There are no beautiful parts of Reading!!!

The Abbey ruins are pretty awesome Goldenbug as are the riverside pathways. Reading is a surprising town.

Both supermarkets are asking for ID of 25 for booze so turn left over the bridge and go to the corner shop off church street for ale.

Surely not? You have to be 18 not 25. Isn't it usual that they ask for ID if you look under 25, rather than ID that you are 25?

I love the river! I enjoy catching the staff boat from white campsite

Does anyone know whether 16yr olds will need id when they arrive? ie to prove that they are over 16?

DD's bag looks bigger than her

"Watch out for flying tins of baked beans. DP once told me he saw someone catapult a tin of beans into the crowd"

It's not flying tins of beans you need to worry about. I've seen dozens of bottles of piss fly through the air in the arena.

In the camping area I once saw a flying toaster.