Anyone else waiting for their teen to get back from a festival today ?

[Timetobuckup]

My 17yr old DS is at Reading and I am really looking forward to seeing his stinky self after what I am sure has been one of the best weekends ever.

We have been watching some of it on the tv and the atmosphere has looked brilliant.

I am so happy they got to go this year and make some amazing memories.

Mine wasn’t that bothered about going and nearly sold his ticket. He’s so glad he didn’t. Had an amazing time. Spent all day yesterday in bed and has only just got up now.

Lots of Reading festival goers go to the nearby Tesco to save money. I thought I could escape them by going to Lidl slightly further away, knowing that Tesco is a no-go during festival time, but there too were groups of teens with bumbags buying cases of pot noodles and cider

Dd and friends all did covid tests this morning, mainly before meeting up with another friend later who is more vulnerable. All negative so far.

@strongcore

My DDs 6th form has just emailed requiring all pupils who went to reading to have a d present the results of a PCR test before they are allowed back on Thursday. Half the 6th form went and there have been 5 known cases so I see why the school are doing this but unless the kids lie and claim they gave symptoms when they don't then they will have to pay privately. No one is sure the school is allowed to do it but no one making a fuss. As the letter pointed out it's a huge school and a lot of younger children would be out at risk.

It's very easy to get a free test. Basically anyone who has been in contact with covid can justify ordering a test, so pretty much anyone who has been out and about mixing are likely to be eligible.

You can now get pcr if you are contact of a positive case because you don't have to isolate now.

Glad to see so many had a great time.

I wanted to ask about the experience people had on Sunday night in the campsites. My daughter, who is 18 and fairly streetwise, said it was absolutely terrifying as people were going round blowing tents up using aerosols. There was also a massive fight right next to them and then a stampede of people trampled over her tent. They seriously feared for their lives. Until then they had had quite a good time, although some men camping nearby had been threatening on and off so they felt a bit unsafe at times.
Security guards were next to useless apparently and a few of them were apparently clearly on drugs and were asking people for 'Ket'.
It literally sounded like the most unsafe place you could probably think of - they had to take it in turns to stay up and not sleep to try and stop themselves getting blown up. She said it felt so out of control and everyone was drugged up and didn't care.
I would seriously think twice if you think your 16- 18 year old could cope with that. I know my daughter and her friends will never, ever go back. I think it is pretty appalling how scenes like that are allowed to happen. If your teen does insist on going maybe ensure they aren't there for Sunday night which is when it all really kicks off in a nasty way.

My son said Sunday night was rowdy, and there were people throwing stuff at each other’s tents but didn’t mention aerosols. Said security were half hearted and called him boring when they searched him because he didn’t have any drugs on him.

@OverByYer

My son said Sunday night was rowdy, and there were people throwing stuff at each other’s tents but didn’t mention aerosols. Said security were half hearted and called him boring when they searched him because he didn’t have any drugs on him.

No way?!!

@itsallabittiring - my daughter hasn't mentioned anything like that. I guess it is a massive site with lots of different fields for camping. or possibly she feels it is better Mum doesn't know??

Hopefully it was isolated, but I hope there is a way of complaining about security not helping? That could have been really dangerous.

How did they make up a pot noodle? No electricity and no fires allowed?

Camping stove by their tent.
Although I also understand you can get hot water from the wonderful volunteers at the Churches tents / Street Pastors / Salvation Army / Festival Angels. I heard £5 to buy a reusable cup in the first place then refill as and when you like. dd did say there were long queues there though, so maybe more and more people now know about that.

[quote Kite22]@itsallabittiring - my daughter hasn't mentioned anything like that. I guess it is a massive site with lots of different fields for camping. or possibly she feels it is better Mum doesn't know??

Hopefully it was isolated, but I hope there is a way of complaining about security not helping? That could have been really dangerous.

How did they make up a pot noodle? No electricity and no fires allowed?

Camping stove by their tent.
Although I also understand you can get hot water from the wonderful volunteers at the Churches tents / Street Pastors / Salvation Army / Festival Angels. I heard £5 to buy a reusable cup in the first place then refill as and when you like. dd did say there were long queues there though, so maybe more and more people now know about that.[/quote]
That’s worth knowing for next time thanks

My son didn’t mention anything about Sunday night being bad. He has, however, tested positive for COVID this afternoon. Not surprising but not good news.

I think it depends where you camp. The Sunday night ‘riot’ is thankfully on the wane from the ‘high’ point in the late 90’s. Bloody moronic behaviour and I’m sorry your DD had to experience it. Better to camp in the sites close to the family area ….. longer walk but away from the arseholes.

@Effic

I think it depends where you camp. The Sunday night ‘riot’ is thankfully on the wane from the ‘high’ point in the late 90’s. Bloody moronic behaviour and I’m sorry your DD had to experience it. Better to camp in the sites close to the family area ….. longer walk but away from the arseholes.

Yes, it's all a learning curve. It sounded like they really didn't end up in a good spot and were surrounded by scary, drugged up men from the beginning. In hindsight they should have gone much further away from that if they could but they struggled to even get that spot. She did enjoy the music in general though and sounds like she got stuck in! Came back covered in bruises from an accidental moshpit incident also, but didn't lose a finger at least....Christ, being a mother of a teen should come with a health warning.