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Cropredy FAQs
Please read these Frequently Asked Questions before ordering tickets by post, fax or PayPal. Below are answers to questions readers have asked us. We'll add more as we receive them but please make sure the information isn't available elsewhere on the website before you ask. Please note that no-one will be admitted to the campsites before 9am on the Thursday.
- Q: Who is on this year, and when?
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A:
FAIRPORT'S CROPREDY CONVENTION LINE-UP 2012
The complete line-up will be annnounced in February 2012
- Q: Ticketing Questions -
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A:
Can I buy a day ticket for just Thursday or Friday?
The answer is no. We only sell 3 day (Thurs/Frid/Sat) tickets, 2 day (Frid/Sat) tickets and Saturday only tickets. The reason for this is that the country lanes around Cropredy and the accesses to the campsites simply could not cope with the two way traffic which such a ticketing system would create.
When Can I Buy Tickets?
Tickets for Cropredy Festival generally go on sale from 1 March. Please check in on our website/facebook or twitter regularly for any updates.
Where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets are available from our online store here. If we haven't sold out in advance (and we have in the past!) we will also sell 'on the gate'. Those of you on our mailing list will also receive a tear off strip if you wish to pay by cheque.
Those wishing to pay over the phone can call 0900 637 1644. Calls cost 50p per call from BT landlines.
How much are this year's tickets?
The ticket prices are as follows:
3 Day Concert Ticket - 9, 10 & 11 August 2012
Before - May 31st £100.00
June 1st - July 31st £105.00
After July 31st £110.00
2 Day Concert Ticket - 10 & 11 August 2012
Before - May 31st £90.00
June 1st - July 31st £95.00
After July 31st £100.00
1 Day Concert Ticket -11th August 2012
Before - May 31st £70.00
June 1st - July 31st £75.00
After July 31st £80.003 Day Camping for Thurs/Frid/Sat - £35.00
2 Day Camping for Frid/Sat is £30 per vehicle.
Saturday ONLY Camping is free.
Bikers & backpackers camp for free.
Children UNDER 12 Years of age
Free AdmissionThere is a £6 booking fee per order to cover Special Delivery postage & packing - NOT per ticket.
Is there a concession for children?
Yes. Children UNDER 12 years of age come for free so long as they are accompanied by a ticket buying adult.
I haven't received my ticket yet!
Please contact us by dialing our Ticketing Hotline - 0900 637 1644 or emailing us at tickets@fairportconvention.com if you have not received your tickets within 7 days.
What if I have either lost or forgotten to bring my tickets?
You will have to buy another ticket when you arrive at the festival's main entrance. Be sure to get a stamped receipt from the ticket-sellers. When you get home and retrieve your ticket, send the stamped receipt and the ticket to the address below for a 75% refund. Please note that the ticket you send must be completely intact.
Fairport Convention Ltd
PO Box 8413
Bilsthorpe
Newark
Notts NG22 8WY - Q: Camping Sticker Questions -
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A:
REMEMBER - WE CHARGE CAMPING PER VEHICLE, NOT PER PERSON!
You charge one £35/£30 camping sticker per vehicle, What do you class as a vehicle?
We mean a car, a jeep, a light van, an MPV, or a similar conveyance. The price per vehicle includes the occupants of the vehicle (providing each one has a concert ticket for the day they arrive to camp). The number of occupants might be one chap and a brown mongrel dog in a Mini or a family in a Range Rover. Four is the average occupancy although we're unlikely to quibble over up to six, especially if some of them are children. Commonsense, and the comfort and safety of others, are the primary considerations.
We count a car and caravan as ONE vehicle.
Does the camping charge include tents?
Yes, because if people arrive in a vehicle to camp, they'll probably bring tents with them. A 'tent' can be anything from a tiny one-person 'pod' to a three-room luxury job. Subject to safety considerations and the campsite marshalls' decision, you may be able put more than one tent on your pitch ? for example, a mid-size one for mum and dad plus a small one for the kids. But a marquee or a pair of giant canvas palaces on one pitch wouldn't be allowed by the marshalls. Again, use commonsense and consider the safety and comfort of others.
AND REMEMBER, BACKPACKERS AND BIKERS DON'T NEED CAMPING STICKERS - THEY CAMP FOR FREE!!
- Q: PayPal Questions -
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A:
Why PayPal?
It's a service to you, our customers. Many of you have asked us to accept credit card payments through our website for Cropredy tickets. To set up our own dedicated payment service would involve significant costs but by using PayPal, we can provide an easy and secure way for you to make payments through our website which we can accept 24 hours a day from most countries in the world.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is a company that provides services for transferring money via the internet between people or businesses almost anywhere in the world. PayPal is owned by the online auction site ebay.
Is PayPal safe?
PayPal takes considerable trouble to make its service as secure as possible. Millions of people use PayPal successfully every day. The vendor (in this case Fairport Convention Ltd) never has access to your personal financial data - only PayPal does. You can find out more about security on the PayPal website.
How do I use PayPal?
Payments you make via PayPal can be charged to your credit card or bank account, depending on your selection. Alternatively, if you are a member of PayPal you can use your PayPal account. To order tickets, click the 'Add to cart' button(s) as appropriate: a new browser window opens and you simply follow the easy instructions on Paypal's pages.
Do I have to join PayPal?
No, PayPal allows you to make payments from your credit card without becoming an actual member of PayPal. This procedure is similar to making a payment with a credit card at any other secure website.
Does it cost extra to use PayPal?
No, to buy your tickets via Paypal costs you nothing but the actual cost of the tickets plus £1 for postage and handling. Please note, however, that your credit card provider may make a charge as with any other use of your card.
- Q: Caravan/Campervan Questions -
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A:
Is a caravan a vehicle?
As far as camping goes, a caravan towed by a vehicle will be treated as a tent: you just pay for the vehicle and its occupants with no extra charge for the trailer. Remember, though, that we reserve specific areas for caravans. A camper van or mobile home and its occupants pay the same as any other vehicle (we reserve specific areas for them - see below).
Where can I camp my caravan/campervan?
Field allocation is less hard and fast when it comes to little'uns such as Dormobiles and VW Campers (yes, there are still plenty about). In previous years, for example, small campervans have parked in fields 1, 2 and 4 whereas mobile homes have been directed away from those fields.
Camping is on a first come - first served basis and plots cannot be preallocated. Just because you parked your campervan somewhere last year doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to park there this time.
As always, our friendly admission-gate staff and campsite marshalls will decide where vehicles, including campervans, go. They'll be acting on instructions from the fire officer, safety officer, and site managers so please give 'em a smile and comply with their requests.Are mobile home admitted to all campsites?
No. Mobile homes (by which we mean larger campervans and Winnebago-type vehicles) will be directed to specific fields. So will towed caravans. In previous years, the locations have included: fields 6 and 6B and an allocated section of 7.
(Note: there are many factors affecting what goes where: these include operational changes in field usage, health and safety law, local authority regulations, the requirements of our safety officer and fire officer, the comfort and convenience of fellow campers, access for emergency vehicles, the preservation of fire lanes, and the condition of the land itself - for example, if the ground is waterlogged). - Q: Can I use a BBQ?
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A:
We do permit gas BBQs but not the solid fuel ones with embers which may blow onto the grass, or worse still, a tent. This applies especially to the disposable variety.
- Q: Cropredy Warm-Ups Questions -
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A:
What are the Warm-ups?
Traditionally, Fairport Convention do two local concerts prior to the festival itself to go through the set and rehearse their legendary guests. It is a great opportunity to have a sneak preview of who will be performing with them on the Saturday night!
When and where are the warm-ups held?
This year's Cropredy Festival Warm Up Shows will be held at Woodford Halse Social Club on Monday 6 August and Tuesday 7 August. There will be no support but, being our 45th anniversary, there will undoubtedly be a mulititude of guests. But who.....?
How do I get a ticket?
We shall be selling tickets through the website from 1 March 2012.
- Q: When can I arrive?
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A:
Our campsites are open to the public from 9am on Thursday 9 August. Please don't arrive any earlier than that as the gates will be locked and we don't want to upset the locals (or the Police!) by blocking the roads. Anyone parking up on the Williamscot Rd before the gates open will receive a parking ticket from the PCSOs who will be patrolling which could result in a fine. We have to respect the local population who need to get to work.
The campsites are also open from 9 am on Friday and Saturday.
- Q: What facilities do you offer people with disabilities?
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A:
We provide a special viewing platform at Fairport's Cropredy Convention for festival-goers who are chair-bound or otherwise disabled. The platform has a ramp for wheelchairs and is situated beside the sound tower with a commanding view of the stage. The platform is big enough to hold up to a dozen chair-users (allowing for one carer per person) or ten self-powered mobility scooters. There is an adjacent toilet with facilities for people with disabilities.
Staff stewarding the platform are in radio contact with site control so festival-goers with disabilities will be able to easily find out if there's space on the platform without having to go right down the field.
As in previous years Fair Mobility will be based at the top of Field 6 (adjacent to the the Concert Arena) providing self-powered mobility scooters for those who need them. The scooters must be booked in advance. You can do this by clicking the link at the beginning of this paragraph or by phoning the Fair Mobility scooter booking line 01949 845189.
Again, as in previous years we'll be providing a camping area (Field 6) specifically for festival-goers with disabilities. At the top of the field next to Fair Mobility, are a disabled toilet and a disabled shower. - Q: How do I get to Cropredy?
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A:
You will find Cropredy on any road atlas or you can search for the village on Google Maps or see the map on this website.
Travelling by rail: If you're coming to Fairport's Cropredy Convention this year, why not leave the car at home? Train travel is less stressful and far kinder to the environment. What's more, if you don't bring a vehicle you get free camping.
Banbury railway station is served by frequent Chiltern Railways trains from London Marylebone station and Birmingham Moor Street station. You can find train times and fares on the Chiltern Railways website or by phoning 08457 484950
Banbury is also served by Crosscountry services from many parts of the UK. For these rail services visit the rail enquiries website or ask at your local railway station.
When you arrive at Banbury, there is a frequent bus service to Cropredy (and buses back into Banbury after the concerts). Bus timetables will be posted on this website nearer the time.
Travelling by road: Travel to Banbury on the M40 motorway and leave at Junction 11 which is signposted for Banbury (see our map). At the top of the slip road is a roundabout; from there please follow the temporary signs to the festival.This year we have a road closure in place on Thursday 12 August to ease the flow of traffic onto the campsites. The road will be closed to all traffic from Cropredy heading towards Williamscot at The Plantation and all traffic coming from the A423 will be sent directly to Fields 7a-d to camp. Those coming from the A361 will be able to drive towards Cropredy from Williamscot as usual and access Fields 1-6 while there is space available. Once these are full, you will be directed over Cropredy Bridge towards Fields 7a-d.
If you are not camping on the site, there is a free car park on the north side of the Williamscot Road (see site map) and also another on School Lane. Festival stewards will direct you. - Q: Can I Bring My Dog?
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A:
You may bring your dog but all our canine friends must be kept on a leash at all times. There are 'waste' bags at all the Campsite Control portacabins and the Info portacabin.
- Q: Is there a special camping field for motorcyclists?
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A:
No. We do not segregate bikers or herd them into one area, we accord them the same status as every other camper. So bikers can camp on any field on the same 'first come first served' basis as everyone else. Bikers will be directed to camping pitches by our friendly marshalls.
Remember, bikers, like hikers and back-packers, do enjoy one special privilege: they camp for free!
We constantly strive to improve camping at Cropredy, we review the arrangements regularly, and we take into account the needs of all festival-goers including, of course, motorcyclists.Thanks to your comments, we now have excellent smooth covers for the cattle grids over on Peewit Farm campsites. No more bumps for bikers!
- Q: Do you know any other places to stay if I don't want to camp?
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A:
There are other campsites and a range of hotels and B&Bs in the area. We simply don't have space to list them all nor can we answer individual questions about places to stay. However, you can gets lots of information about accommodation and about the local area from the official North Oxfordshire tourism website.
You can also try these local tourist information offices:
Banbury: 01295 753752
Bicester: 01869 369055
If you want to camp in the area before our campsites open on Thursday morning, you can find a list of Oxfordshire sites on the UK Camp Sites website which has a search facility. - Q: Narrowboat / Canal Questions -
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A:
Do I have to pay for Cropredy camping if I arrive on a narrowboat?
No, not if your boat remains in the canal. The Oxford Canal is outside the area covered by the premises licence. If you haul it onto the festival site, however...
If I come by narrowboat, can I reserve a space and do I have to pay for a mooring?
Following several similar enquiries, we checked with British Waterways, the authority that runs the Oxford Canal.
It is not possible to reserve a mooring, it's strictly 'first come, first served'. Obviously, the earlier in the week you arrive the closer you will be to the village centre. But even if you don't arrive until Thursday, you should be able to find somewhere to moor although it may be up to a mile from the festival site.
British waterways tell us that boaters do not normally have to pay for temporary moorings as they travel the canals. The general rule is that unless canalside signs tell you otherwise, you may moor on the towpath side for up to 14 days free of charge.
In the Cropredy area, parts of the length between Cropredy lock and Cropredy Mill bridge are normally restricted to 48 hours free mooring. These are indicated by signs. But British Waterways tell us that they take a more relaxed attitude to this restriction during Fairport's Cropredy Convention. However, they say, you must not moor in such a way as to obstruct the service area and turning point below Cropredy bridge, nor obstruct the approach to the lock or any bridge.
It is quite permissible to moor two abreast (that is, one boat tied alongside another) providing that doing so doesn't obstruct the passage of other boats passing through, in fact, boats are usually moored two abreast for half-a-mile below Cropredy bridge during the festival weekend.
Like anything else, commonsense, good manners and consideration for others are your best guides.Where can I find out more about visiting Cropredy by canal?
British Waterways, the authority that runs the canal system, has a very informative website covering the leisure and boating uses of inland waterways atwww.waterscape.com.
- Q: Where can I get medical help if I need it?
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A:
St John Ambulance provide a medical centre on the main field and they are open for business from the time you arrive on Thursday until your departure on Sunday. There are also first aid posts dotted about the whole festival site. There is a doctor's surgery in Cropredy village and The Horton A&E hospital in Banbury.
- Q: Where's the nearest supermarket?
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A:
The nearest supermarket to Cropredy is Tesco, Lockheed Close, Banbury. The store is near the A423 Southam Road. It is about a mile from Banbury town centre and the same distance from Junction 11 on the M40 motorway.
Tesco, Banbury, is open until 11pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but during the festival it will be open 24hours a day (Thursday, Friday and Saturday). The phone number is 01295 457400.
Note that Tesco is the nearest petrol station to the festival. Petrol is available 24 hours a day by 'pay-at-the-pump' card transactions. - Q: What is the weather like in England in August?
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A:
It can range from cold and wet to very hot and dry. Some years we get temperatures of over 30C (90F) and other years we get chilly wet weather with temperatures below 10C (50F). You can check the local forecast on the internet before you travel.
- Q: Where can I find out more about visiting the local area?
- A: There is plenty of information on the official tourism website for North Oxfordshire.