The safety of everyone, attendees, staff and artists continues to be first and foremost in our planning and we have put together an initial plan , based on the governments proposed Step 3 of the road map. 2021 will be a “one off” FolkEast based on a reduced capacity audience and a new layout to accommodate social distancing measures if needs be.
We are working with our local authority to create a site at Glemham Hall that will be easy to navigate using a simple one-way system and that will provide safe, open spaces for everyone to enjoy live music in. This will make it safer for everyone – for you, our artists, stewards and event staff.
The regulations for allowing ticketed events and the criteria that we will have to comply with, may not be forthcoming until June when the DCMS share the results of their trial events in April and May. This is our initial plan.
The Changes
- The arena will be laid out in a simple, easy to manage design down on the flat land with a one-way system of wide paths criss-crossing the site.
- There will be three open-air stages with plenty of marked out space in front of them to set up your pitch and relax in the knowledge that you can be socially distanced if needs be.
- There won’t be any covered venues in the arena due to the potential restrictions on audience numbers “indoors”.
- Losing our covered venues this year has been the hardest decision and particularly difficult for all of the individual promoters and their teams who programme and work on each of these spaces to make them so unique. A huge thank you to all those involved in creating the beautiful Soapbox Festival stage in the woods, BroadRoots, the Dance tent and Sanctuary and for their understanding and support. We are all working together to find a way to bring some of their special magic to FolkEast this year and we are excited by the imaginative and collaborative ideas that are evolving in the face of all the challenges to make sure there is the usual high standard of FolkEast-ery-nes
The Familiars
- Most of the artists announced for the 2020 Sunset and Moot Hall line-up have carried over to this year. The Canadian contingent, are deferring to 2022 when they can be confident that travel restrictions will be lifted.
- The vast majority of our Art Arcade, heritage, craft groups and food concessions are champing at the bit. However, due to the difficulties of this past year, some will not be returning and we wish them all the best in their new ventures.
- There will be a limited programme of workshops, talks and activities, plenty of curiosities and opportunities for taking time to just be.
… we will continue to update the details and keep you informed of developments …
Hand washing stations
As well as sanitising stations, there will be hand wash stations around the site for up to three people at a time to wash their hands with soap and water.
Face Coverings
Face coverings may still be mandatory to wear when moving around the site but not once settled at a stage or eating and drinking.
Social Distancing
The lay out of the site will be in accordance with the Government regulations needed for us to comply with on social distancing.
Admission
Government restrictions may require us to ask for proof of vaccination /or a negative test confirmation before admission to site.
Covered areas
There will be canopied seating areas in the arena to enjoy your vittles and to seek respite from the glare of the sun (we have not programmed any rain this year).
Toilets
The toilets around the site will be grouped in fenced blocks with an In and an Out one-way system with extra sanitising stations and a key team of cleaners.
Camp site
The campsites will be marked out in individual pitches to allow adequate space in-between all tents, camper vans and caravans. There will be a dedicated campsite team in place to manage the arrival and pitching.
The "Pubs"
These will be open fronted, with the a long bar at the front and all seating will be outside.
Please Note
We do have to be prepared for the worst scenario should it all go the other way between now and August and the possibility that FolkEast could end up being postponed once again. This could be for COVID reasons or, alternatively, if new regulations placed on our event licence are prohibitively expensive and make it unviable to go ahead at reduced capacity. If this is the case, your tickets will be refunded or , if you would rather, they can be carried over to 2022
Fingers crossed this will not be the case.