Jayney Gage, a 58-year-old wheelchair user from Wellington, Somerset, was left devastated and outraged after being allocated a campsite two miles away from the Festival in the Hills event in Taunton. Having eagerly anticipated the festival for over a year, Jayney was shocked to find she would be unable to access the main event area due to the location of her camping spot and lack of suitable transport options.
Jayney, who faces complex medical challenges including seizures, drop attacks, and chronic osteoarthritis pain, attended the festival with her husband and her carer, who is also her best friend. Despite buying tickets in the early bird sale last year, the family was redirected upon arrival to a remote field accessible only by a narrow dirt track.
Although the festival provided a minibus shuttle service between the remote camping field and the festival grounds, Jayney was unable to use this due to the absence of wheelchair access and space on the bus. As a result, her husband, carer, and the carer’s husband remained with her in the isolated field, missing much of the festival’s entertainment.
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Conditions in the remote campsite were severely lacking. There were only three portable toilets, no shower or water facilities, and no proper waste disposal for motorhome chemical waste. Festival staff reportedly suggested emptying waste into portable toilets, a proposal Jayney found unsafe and unacceptable, especially with children nearby.
“I feel like I ruined it for the rest of them,” Jayney shared, expressing her disappointment and helplessness in the situation. “Being disabled, I’m housebound without my husband or carer. My friends came hoping to enjoy the festival, but instead, they were stuck with me in a field, missing out.”
A Festival in the Hills spokesperson acknowledged the mistake, explaining that while they followed the Purple Guide—a widely used industry standard for safety and welfare at music events—they underestimated the space campers would occupy. “We should have implemented size restrictions on camping setups to prevent this overrun,” they said, expressing deep regret for the inconvenience caused.
The organizers also confirmed they would be contacting guests who were affected to discuss refund options and next steps. Despite the setbacks, the festival’s team highlighted their commitment to supporting local charities like Andy’s Man Club and Mind, emphasizing that the event operates as a non-profit, volunteer-run community affair.
“We are grateful for all the support and take this feedback seriously. Should Festival in the Hills return next year, we will use these lessons to improve the experience for everyone,” the spokesperson added.
Jayney’s experience sheds light on the importance of accessibility at festivals and the need for thorough planning to accommodate disabled attendees, ensuring that all guests can fully enjoy the event.