Radio 1's Big Weekend, Mote Park, Maidstone
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Radio
1 Big Weekend?
Radio 1's Big Weekend is the UK's biggest free
ticketed music festival. It's the first British music
festival of the year and always attracts big UK and worldwide
artists.
2. When is the Big
Weekend?
The Big Weekend will take place on Saturday 10
and Sunday 11 May 2008.
3. Where is the
event?
The Big Weekend will be held in Mote Park,
Maidstone. The park is the largest in the borough, spanning
450 acres of mature parkland. Mote Park is a 15-20 minute
walk from Maidstone’s town centre.
4. Who got
tickets?
Radio 1 has given away 34,000 tickets over
the weekend. The majority of these went to residents in Maidstone
and the surrounding area.
45% went to those with postcodes covered by
Maidstone council. 40% went to other parts of Kent
including Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Dartford, Bromley and
Croydon. 10% went to areas bordering Kent including
Sussex, Surrey, Essex and London. The remaining 5% went
to rest of the UK.
5. I live near the park but
didn’t get tickets. Why?
Over half a million people applied for
tickets, and Radio 1 gave the majority to Maidstone and the
surrounding area.
Even if all the tickets went to people in
Maidstone there would still not be enough.
6. Has Maidstone Borough
Council got tickets to give to residents?
No. Radio 1 will only give tickets to
Maidstone Borough Council officers who need to work at the event on
the day or who have responsibility for the event. Maidstone
council does not have any tickets to offer residents.
7. What are the benefits to
Maidstone of having this event?
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to promote
Maidstone to a national and international audience.
- A huge boost to our economy – For example
our hotels and local B&Bs are almost fully booked over the
weekend.
- It will be a major landmark and provide a
stimulus for everyone involved in Maidstone Music.
- Local bands will be involved in the Fringe
Festival and two will play at Radio 1’s Big Weekend
- The success of the event, building on last
year’s Tour de France, will help us in so many other ways including
our economic development and tourism marketing, staff recruitment,
evidence for bids for other national events.
8. Was the River Festival cancelled to
hold/fund this event?
No. The River Festival is organised by a
voluntary committee not Maidstone Borough Council.
9. Why isn’t it being held at
Detling Showground?
Radio 1’s Big Weekends are normally held
close to town centres to encourage the use of public transport and
to engage with the community.
10. How can I enjoy the
event if I haven’t got tickets?
If you missed out on tickets you’ll be able to listen on Radio 1
or watch on interactive TV by pressing red on any BBC TV channel.
You can see all the live performances from the Main stage and In
New Music We Trust stage, alongside exclusive interviews and
acoustic moments from backstage. There will also be live broadcasts
on BBC3. More
information
But don’t turn up to the Big Weekend if you don’t have a ticket
- you will not be allowed into the arena and there won’t be any big
screens outside the event or in the town centre. People without
tickets who cause a nuisance will be removed from the area by
police.
11. Will there
be camping?
No – there will be no camping in the park.
12. How will I get
there?
There will be special arrangements made with
Park and Ride and public transport. More
information.
13. What about
noise?
We have set strict levels for maximum noise
during the event. The event is set to run from 12noon to 10pm
on both days and there will be no amplified noise after 11pm on
both days.
Sound tests will be limited to part or all of
the following times:
Wednesday 7 May – 5 to 6pm
Thursday 8 May – 4 to 7pm
Friday 9 May – 4.30 to
7.30pm
During these times there will be some loud and
perhaps strange noise. This is to test the system and to take
readings that we will use to control noise during the event.
14. Will I be able to get in and
out of my road?
Road closures around the entrance to Mote
Park will stop concert goers parking in residential roads.
Residents living on those roads have been sent permits to allow
them to get to and from their homes.
Vehicle access may be restricted between
8pm and midnight to ensure a quick and easy exit for those leaving
the event. More information
15.
Will emergency services be affected?
No – all the emergency services will provide
normal cover and will take priority if there is a major incident or
an emergency.
16.
What time is the event being held?
From 12 midday until about 10pm, Saturday and
Sunday.
17. Will there
be alcohol?
No one will be allowed to bring alcohol onto
the site. There will be a bar serving alcohol to 18’s and
over. ID will be required.
18. What about
litter in the park and surrounding area?
The council will carry out litter picks in
Mote Park and the surrounding roads throughout the day and after
the event has finished on Saturday and Sunday.
19. Will
wildlife be affected?
There will be no activity near the lake and
the event will pose no risk to wildlife.
20. Will it be
licensed?
Yes, Mote Park is licensed for events up to
10,000 people. This event has a specific licence for 20,000
people and the sale of alcohol. For more information contact
Licensing on 01622 602255.
21. Where can
I find out more?
Visit the council's website for regular
updates. We have held an information evening for residents
living near the park, and details on arrangements are available to
download.
You can also check for updates on www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend,
listen to Radio 1 and look out for stories in the local
press.
For more information about Maidstone visit the
tourism website www.tour-maidstone.com or
contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01622 602169.