This weekend I went to Batfest in Shropshire. I shared a few photos on social media and had a few questions - "what on earth is Batfest?"!
Gemma, who organised Batfest 2016, created the Batfest logo.
Well Batfest is no big secret - it's just that it's a private event, so you won't find details about it anywhere!
It all started in 2015 when I'd arranged to go to a fancy industry event in London with a group of my online small business buddies. The event will remain nameless, but just to say it was the biggest waste of £160 ever. We were all thoroughly dismayed by the whole thing, and started a jokey conversation about creating our own event... which would be much better, much more fun, and much much better value for money.
From an initial joke, somehow it actually became a reality, when we found a campsite in Shropshire with all the prerequisites; a nearby pub, glamping, B&B accommodation... and as an added bonus a lake with a boathouse! We hired the whole site, in the grounds of a stately home, arranged a marquee and a fish and chip van, and in July 2016 flung open the gates to over sixty friends and their family members.
It was a total leap of faith - and amazing that people actually got in cars and drove for eight hours to get there, not knowing quite what to expect! Fortunately (thank goodness) it was such a success we did it all again this year.
It all started in 2015 when I'd arranged to go to a fancy industry event in London with a group of my online small business buddies. The event will remain nameless, but just to say it was the biggest waste of £160 ever. We were all thoroughly dismayed by the whole thing, and started a jokey conversation about creating our own event... which would be much better, much more fun, and much much better value for money.
From an initial joke, somehow it actually became a reality, when we found a campsite in Shropshire with all the prerequisites; a nearby pub, glamping, B&B accommodation... and as an added bonus a lake with a boathouse! We hired the whole site, in the grounds of a stately home, arranged a marquee and a fish and chip van, and in July 2016 flung open the gates to over sixty friends and their family members.
It was a total leap of faith - and amazing that people actually got in cars and drove for eight hours to get there, not knowing quite what to expect! Fortunately (thank goodness) it was such a success we did it all again this year.
 The lake is great for swimming, kayaking and rowing. |  We always have a good collection of bell tents at Batfest. |  Amazing views from the yurts at Walcot Hall. |
Batfest 2017 saw rain, wind and - fortunately - sunshine, rowing, walking, a sports day, SUP action, an epic pub quiz, wild swimming, lots of macrame and an entirely inappropriate game of Cards Against Humanity... among other things!
We're all small creative businesses, which is how we all met each other - but we come from all over the UK (in fact one Batfester this year flew in from Singapore); it's a great chance to get together with kids, dogs, tents, beer and food! Business is very much on the back burner for the weekend - helped no end by the lack of 3G onsite; it's basically four days of friendship, laughter and fun. Everyone goes away with a little grin, and a warm feeling inside, thoroughly content with a lovely weekend spend with like-minded folk.
Roll on 2018 - the campsite is already booked and I can't wait until it's Batfest time again!
If you want to put on a similar event then the campsite we use is at Walcot Hall in Lydbury North. To enquire about the campsite visit www.thepowisarms.com, call 01588 680254 or email enquiries@thepowisarms.com. Say Becka from Batfest sent you!
We're all small creative businesses, which is how we all met each other - but we come from all over the UK (in fact one Batfester this year flew in from Singapore); it's a great chance to get together with kids, dogs, tents, beer and food! Business is very much on the back burner for the weekend - helped no end by the lack of 3G onsite; it's basically four days of friendship, laughter and fun. Everyone goes away with a little grin, and a warm feeling inside, thoroughly content with a lovely weekend spend with like-minded folk.
Roll on 2018 - the campsite is already booked and I can't wait until it's Batfest time again!
If you want to put on a similar event then the campsite we use is at Walcot Hall in Lydbury North. To enquire about the campsite visit www.thepowisarms.com, call 01588 680254 or email enquiries@thepowisarms.com. Say Becka from Batfest sent you!
RSS Feed
