Sun makes V Festival very special
After years of rain at V Festival, which annually transforms Weston Park into a mudbath, revellers were this year finally able to enjoy the sounds of their favourite music stars while soaking up the sun.
After years of rain at V Festival, which annually transforms Weston Park into a mudbath, revellers were this year finally able to enjoy the sounds of their favourite music stars while soaking up the sun.
The sun shone throughout the weekend, making the extravaganza an unforgettable experience for the 90,000 music fans who converged on the stately home near Wolverhampton.
More used to donning wellies and plastic macs to trudge through sodden campsites to watch their idols perform, the fans were this year able to throw aside their waterproofs and enjoy the 48-hour music marathon in shorts, sandals and sunglasses.
Some donned fancy dress for the festival, including sisters Sally and Tracy Raybottom who added some 70s style to the festivities.
Sally, aged 34, of Stone, said: ''We dress up every year, this year we're hippies and next year we'll be cowgirls. The festival is on our doorstep so it's so easy to get here.''
Tracy, 28, described it as the "best festival in the world".
Claire Handley, 25, of Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, said: ''This is my second V Festival. The Specials, James and Dizzee Rascal were my highlights. I like V because it's a local festival in nice grounds. The beautiful weather made it even better this year.''
Tom Stokes, 28, of Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton was working in production at this year's event, his second V Festival.
''My favourite acts were Beardyman and 2 Many DJs. It's been a good weekend, full of happy jolly people," he said.
Luke Fuller, 24, of Gainsborough Drive, Perton, said: ''This is my first time at V, it's really good. It's impressive in terms of the size and number of people. Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris were my favourites.''
Music fans started leaving Weston Park today, clogging up roads around the site.
The massive clean-up operation of Weston Park was getting under way as the weary crowds headed home, with more than 400 tons of rubbish expected to be picked up by a team of around 200 litter pickers.
The grounds of the stately home were today a sea of abandoned tents and camping gear. Staff have also been left to pick up tens of thousands of cups, bottles, pizza boxes and cigarette ends.
The Rotary Club of Brewood & District will move on to the site later today to collect the salvageable camping gear, which will be donated to an overseas charity. In the past, members have spent around two days picking up discarded tents and camping equipment from the grounds for charity.
