Reading festival

[Lauren850]

Boring but important question! Dd2 age 16 is going with a bunch of friends, I'm just wondering if ID will be needed to get in? The website says 'please bring ID if you look under 21' but DD1 says she and her friends were never asked at same age...
I definitely don't want DD2 taking her passport as will never see it again...I could buy a Validate card but it's a lot of hassle if not needed...any advice much appreciated

Not familiar with reading but at Isle of Wight Festival (very strict at the beginning) and Wonder Fest teen tickets have to go in with an adult. If she has an adult ticket they may ask for ID if they think she’s young.

Last year my 16 year old was asked for ID, as were all his friends. They were apparently quite stict.

My DD (16 next week!) is also going and has a photo of her passport in her phone which I was hoping would be sufficient. She doesn't have any other photo ID with the age except the passport itself which I'm not keen on her losing taking.

Does anyone know if that would be ok?

DS went to another festival last year - was asked for proof of age as they got different wristbands depending on age so that couldn't buy booze from bars. He had a Validate UK ID card. It costs £15 and doesn't take long to arrive in post once you've applied (maybe 3 or 4 days). Very handy for lots of other ID situations. Well worth the money to avoid hassles of lost passport/ being turned away at clubs etc.

Thanks all, sounds like the Validate card is worth doing, much as i can't be arsed.. could be useful for other occasions as people have said.

Dd is taking her drivers licence because she looks about 12 (but is 18!) she's bought a bum bag because apparently they are fashionable again, who knew!

ID wasn’t checked for entry, it is that they are very strict/ no tolerance for under age drinking. In Dds group any alcohol brought on site was confiscated unless valid iD was produced and they spotted the fakes! Bags were thoroughly checked on entry. Likewise buying alcohol on site iDs were required.

They are strict in theory but that doesn't seem to stop them getting hold of drink or being offered drugs. Not trying to worry you but make sure you have a good talk about safety before they go.

@Theimpossiblegirl yes was our experience re drugs and availability. DS’s group were handed water to drink that had been spiked and affected 2 of them quite badly.