Exclusive FFA Interview With Chagstock Festival Organiser Si Ford | Festival News

In an exclusive interview with Festivals For All, we talk to Si Ford, organiser of the highly regarded Chagstock Festival in sunny Devon.

FFA asked Si to elaborate a little about his background and the background to Chagstock; “Well my background is in financial management but I’ve always been interested in music. A few years back I came to a mid-life – I won’t say ‘crisis’ “ (laughs) “er,… decision! So we held a weekend party in our garden down here in Chagford….. A few people camped in the back garden, and we had a few bands and also set up a little stage - and it progressively got bigger and bigger. We did that for 3 years, before deciding then to make it a bigger, public event. We held our first festival in 2007 and here we are 6 years later! We had around 50-60 people at the first party….now we look between 3-5 thousand!”

In passing, do you think the absence of Glastonbury this year will have any impact, FFA enquired: “We are hoping some will find Chagstock as an alternative event, but more relevant is attracting that group of people who have historically been Glastonbury and other large event regulars but who are now not so keen on these huge events… we can provide a festival that is still great fun but you don’t have to walk for 3 hours to get across the site! We attract people from all over the south of England and beyond…. We are based in a typical holiday destination 25 miles west of Exeter so we attract people from all over.” Says Si.

How would you define your ethos behind Chagstock FFA asked; “The whole reason is passion! I just love doing Chagstock….it’s been very hard work but I have a passion for music and a passion for arranging festivals. We try to keep a bit of the feeling from those original parties. It’s one big party – very family friendly – with no overcrowding - great toilets and facilities; and of course we are lucky to have the most glorious site with 360 degree views around.”

What impact, if any, has the economic downturn had on Chagstock and other local events?; “There’s always competition but not too much for a festival of our size in the area, but in general terms of the economy, people maybe don’t have quite as much money but still want to go out of a weekend and enjoy themselves … and a weekend down in Devon doesn’t cost as much as taking the whole family to Spain or whatever. It’s a weekend for £65 with no extra for camping & parking.”

FFA commented that £65 buys the festival goer a pretty impressive line-up: “We always try and get a fairly mixed line-up … we don’t want to be labelled as a ‘rock’ festival or a 'folk' festival or whatever. We aim for a bit of everything really and I really think we’ve achieved that this year with the likes of KT Tunstall, Seth Lakeman, Alabama 3, and just confirmed recently – the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.”

FFA had discovered that Si plays in his own band (New Crisis) at the festival. ‘We hear New Crisis are the band to watch out for?’ FFA asked earnestly; “That’s my own band!” (laughs) “Call it the festival house band! It’s my one indulgence.” Laughs again. “It’s my festival and I’m going to play it!” he jokes.

Apart from the obvious contenders of New Crisis, are there any other rising stars Si would particularly advise festival goers to watch out for? ; “They are all great of course, but I’d particularly recommend the likes of Juan Zelada, Ruarri Joseph and Mad Dog Mcrea.”

“Whilst the music is important there are lot of kids & family events too” Si continues” … for instance we’ve a village green feature with loads of thinks going on there. Plenty of alternative therapies too… there is the Funky Foot Fish Bar with lots of little fish nibbling your feet! We’ve also got a visiting Physics In The Field display that has lots of activities explaining the laws of physics – all great fun but educational too! We’ll have plenty of locally sourced ales & ciders from a local Dartmoor based brewery and suppliers just down the road – which ties in very well with us and the area.”

In a nutshell then? “it’s an amazing location – great mix of music – something for everybody – family friendly – not corporate…. And we’re all there to have a really good time!!!” he adds.

What is there not to like? FFA recommends you hot foot down to Devon in July for what promises to be another successful year, and remember, Chagstock is run as a not-for-profit event with all surplus to Devon Air Ambulance Trust and WaterAid …so you can feel good whilst you’re having that really good time!