Rhythm Festivals 2012 CANCELLED at
Old Warden Park , nr Biggleswad , Bedfordshire , SG18 9EP
Fri 24th to Sun 26th August 2012

Here is a message received from the festival organiser Friday 3^rd August 212:

Rhythm Festivals 2012 "Postponed until 2013"

I am hugely saddened to have to announce that Rhythm Festivals 2012 can not take place as over the weekend of August 24-26 at the Mansion House, Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire, as planned.

A whole series of glitches and problems made it impossible to carry on. The weather, the Olympics, the Jubilee, the economic downturn and a dozen other factors, including the "domino effect" of other events not happening, all played their part. I fought long and hard to make it work for 2012, but today I have to admit defeat and hope that three weeks’ notice will give you time to make alternative arrangements for the Bank Holiday.

Ticket-holders will be offered a full refund or will be able to use their tickets in 2013. Please give me a few days to sort out a returns procedure and do not send your tickets back yet as we need time to co-ordinate everything and notify the various agencies and outlets. (Anyone who has booked online over the last few days and whose order has not been processed will receive an automatic refund over the next 5-10 days).

The aim is to postpone the festival until 2013 and we are inviting back the acts who were booked for 2012 and hope that they can make it next year.

I really am very sorry that we can't meet up with you at Old Warden Park in three weeks’ time. My team and I really did work incredibly hard to try and make the festival happen, but over the last couple of days it became clear that was impossible. I can only apologize if you took time off work or booked hotels and travel.

I will send another email in a week or so to give more details and to outline the refund process.

I know you'll be disappointed, but believe me, nowhere near as "gutted" as I am.

Camping
Campsites open at 10am on Friday 24th August. Wristband Exchange opens at 12noon on Friday and the Main Arena is accessible from 3pm. On Saturday and Sunday the Wristband Exchange and Main Arena both open at 10am. Wristband Exchange closes at 8pm on Friday and Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. PLEASE NOTE: due to security and safety issues concerning heavy exit traffic, no vehicles will be allowed on site after 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday evenings or 8pm on Sunday. Please ensure you arrive before this time.

Campfires are strictly prohibited. Cooking, using small barbecues, is permitted by campervan and campsite ticket-holders only, within the designated campsites. Fires must be contained within purpose-built barbecues, raised from the ground and operated in a safe and responsible manner.

Animals
Only registered guide dogs will be allowed on to the camping sites or into the Main Arena.

Friday 24th August

Rhythm Festival

Rhythm Folk

Rhythm & Blues

Saturday 25th August

Rhythm Festival

Rhythm Folk

Rhythm & Blues

Comedy Theatre

Ardal O'Hanlon

Sunday 26th August

Rhythm Festival

Rhythm Folk

Rhythm & Blues

Comedy Theatre

John Cooper Clarke

By Train
The nearest station is five minutes away in Biggleswade, which has fast, direct links to London Kings Cross and the north of England. A taxi should cost less than £10 at most times.

By Car
Rhythm Festival at the Mansion House is five minutes from the A1, just off the B658.Bedford is 8 miles away by road, Milton Keynes 18 miles away, Cambridge 24 miles and London a mere 45 miles.

Hotel	Miles *	Location
Champneys Henlow Ltd	4.53	Henlow	Info
The Coach House	5.33	Potton	Info
Days Inn Stevenage North - A1(M)	7.32	Baldock	Info
Bethany House	7.64	Bedford	Info
Firs Hotel	9.42	Hitchin	Info

* Distances are provided for guidance and are calculated 'as the crow flies'. For directions and actual distances by road, please refer to the hotel directions tab for the particular hotel.

Latest News

Rhythm Festivals 2012 CANCELLED

Created on Fri 3rd August 2012

Here is a message received from the festival organiser today (Friday 3^rd August 212):

Created on Mon 30th July 2012

Taking over Old Warren Park in Bedfordshire from Friday 24th - Sunday 26th August.

Created on Thu 22nd March 2012

(Note: Rhythm Festival, held as a single event in Bedfordshire since 2006, becomes 3 linked festivals in 2012 with the addition of Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues and takes place at Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24-26th.)

Rhythm Festival promoter Jim Driver announced today that the comedy stage will be headlined by Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon on Saturday 25th and by veteran Punk Poet and comedian John Cooper Clarke on Sunday 26th. The rest of the all-star comedy bill will be announced shortly.

Created on Mon 12th March 2012

Rhythm Festivals WILKO JOHNSON, THE BLUES BAND, GENO WASHINGTON, OLI BROWN BAND, BIG BOY BLOATER, HAT FITZ & CARACHANTEL McGREGOR, MICHAEL MESSER & THE SECOND MIND BAND, BUICK 6, DAVE KELLY, and more... Plus JIM MORAY & Band added to FOLK FESTIVAL stage, THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG move to Happy Rhythms Stage

Created on Fri 24th February 2012

Plus THE GROUNDHOGS, CAPTAIN SENSIBLE BAND, HANK WANGFORD & THE LOST COWBOYS, THE MAGIC TOMBOLINOS, DELROY WILLIAMS & THE JUNCTION BAND, SWANS IN FLIGHT, ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER and more

Created on Mon 20th February 2012

NEW! Show of Hands, Lau, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, David Knopfler, The Travelling Band, Richard Digance, Lucy Ward, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Jamie Smith's Mabon, The Moulettes...
Joining Scott Matthews, Peatbog Faeries, The Strawbs, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Wishing Well

Rhythm Festival, held as a single event in Bedfordshire since 2006, becomes 3 linked festivals in 2012 with the addition of Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues and takes place at Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24-26th.

Organiser Jim Driver today announces the (almost) complete line-up for Rhythm Folk Festival, which mixes the finest emerging New Folk talent with the best of classic British Folk and Roots. The "new" arrivals include Show of Hands (with Miranda Sykes) and Edinburgh's exciting and vibrant three-piece Lau, who join Ivor Novello Award winner Scott Matthews as Sunday headliners. Also appearing on Sunday are the fast-rising (and totally uncategorisable) Moulettes, Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts and Britain's best known Pagan musician Damh The Bard.

On Saturday, David Knopfler, founding rhythm guitarist with Dire Straits, veteran comedian and Folk singer Richard Digance, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, featuring acclaimed poet Ian McMillan with a variety of musiicans, and highly regarded young Alt-Folk outfit The Travelling Band join The Strawbs and Australia's Wishing Well. Bedfordshire's leading New Folk band Faeries Wear Boots open proceedings with a (rootsy) bang.

The Friday Rhythm Folk line-up now includes 2012 Radio 2 Horizon Award Winner Lucy Ward and young World Music-inspired Alt-Folkers Jamie Smith's Mabon, who joins the previously announced Peatbog Faeries and The Men They Couldn't Hang (Acoustic).

Born through the desire of a group of young Bedfordshire women to dance Morris, Hemlock Morris will be attendance and performing throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. Other slots at Rhythm Folk will be announced later.

BARGAIN PRICED TICKETS which allow access to the Rhythm Folk only are currently available at just £70 for the weekend (including a free child/ youth aged 5-16) plus camping or THE EARLY BIRD ALL FESTIVALS WEEKEND PASS is still only £99 + camping (includes free Child/Youth ticket). Under 5's are always free. It is not expect that day tickets will be available.

On "other stages", Rhythm Festival is to have 2 stages: Big Rhythms and Happy Rhythms whilst the two new events, Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues will each have their own areas, dominated by huge big-top stages. Camping and lots of other attractions (see below) will be shared.

The emphasis in 2012 is on bringing gifted young performers into Rhythm Festivals, joining the veteran acts who have always been its main-stay.

Also New for 2012 and available to ticket-holders for all three Rhythm Festivals are Fringe Theatre performances in the The Old Dick Theatre and a huge programme of Literary & Poetry Events. Details of BIG NAME attractions on these stages will be announced soon. Comedy (again programmed by Jesterlarf Comedy Club of Cambridge) will return in 2012 as will other old Rhythm avourites, including the Groovy Movie Picture House (free sola-powered cinema), DJ Wheelie Bag in the Tavern Bar and even more children's entertainment, including Panic Circus and the Junior (London) Olympics. Many more new attractions will be added and announced in the coming weeks.

TICKET HOTLINE NOW OPEN:
01767 626 262
Credit Card Hotline operated by The Mansion House and operates during office hours, 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday. 5% booking fee will be added to all telephone orders.
No booking fee (£1 handling charge per order) on tickets bought from the official website

The confirmed line-up so far:
Friday 24th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: Hawkwind, The Slackers (USA), The Beat, Three Bonzos & A Piano, Eddie & The Hot Rods
RHYTHM FOLK: Peatbog Faeries, The Men They Couldn't Hang (Acoustic), Lucy Ward, Jamie Smith's Mabon
RHYTHM & BLUES: Wilko Johnson, Mitch Laddie Band

Saturday 25th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: The Damned, Denis Alcapone (Jamaica), Here & Now
RHYTHM FOLK: The Strawbs, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, Richard Digance, David Knopfler, Travelling Band, Wishing Well (Aus), Faeries Wear Boots
RHYTHM & BLUES: Big Boy Bloater, Lucy Zirins

Sunday 26th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: Ken Boothe (Jamaica), Crazy World of Arthur Brown, David Rodigan, John Otway Big Band, King Hammond
RHYTHM FOLK: Show of Hands featuring Miranda Sykes, Lau, Scott Matthews, The Moulettes, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Damh The Bard
RHYTHM & BLUES: Crosstown Lightnin' (featuring Charles Shaar Murray), Cherry Lee Mewis Band

TICKET PRICES:
ALL FESTIVALS EARLY BIRD ADULT WEEKEND PASS: £99 includes one free child/ youth (5-16). Extra kids £60 each. Under 5's free.
RHYTHM FOLK ADULT WEEKEND TICKET (only): £70 until May 31st, then £80. Includes one child/ youth (5-16 years) free. Extra kids £35 each.
RHYTHM & BLUES ADULT WEEKEND TICKET (only): £70 until May 31st, then £80. Includes one child/ youth (5-16 years) free. Extra kids £35 each.
CAMPING (any festival): £36 per tent, £50 per campervan/ caravan.
Tickets will be sent out from March.

More on this totally unique festival concept in the coming weeks.

Rhythm Festivals More Stages, More Attractions and More Acts Confirmed

Created on Fri 27th January 2012

Scott Matthews, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, The Strawbs, Big Boy Bloater, Here & Now, The Men They Couldn't Hang, 3 Bonzos & A Piano, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Damh The Bard, Cherry Lee Mewis Band,Leatherat, Lucy Zirins, King Hammond, Mitch Laddie Band.

Created on Fri 16th December 2011

After six solid years of building up a loyal following, Bedfordshire's Rhythm Festival produces offspring. The 2012 Rhythm Festival will not be a single weekend, but three festivals in one:

There will be a wide selection of food and drink available from food vendors and bars inside the arena including:

Rhythm Festival

Rhythm Folk

Rhythm & Blues