Wakestock abandoned after floods

United Kingdom | | 23 July 2007

It was just one of many outdoor events to suffer from the deluge of rain which fell over parts of the UK during the weekend.

The North Wales festival - ironically one held to celebrate daring stunts in the water - was hammered by rain, causing misery to fans.

The main walkway was swept away and the area became impassable to vehicles. Many bands didn't even make it to the festival, according to Mark Ronson, one of the few who did on Friday. 

Large numbers of people were forced to wade waist-deep through a swollen river to get to the car parks and out to Abersoch.

Our reviewer Rose Palmer told us: "It was pure hell. I was fortunate enough to have backstage access to facilities but porterloos were literally floating. People were covered in mud and suffering with colds. I've been bed ridden since!"

Organisers cancelled the Saturday night music programme, however the wakeboarding competition in Pwllheli Marina did go ahead as planned.

Several other festivals were also affected by this weekend's weather. Truck Festival in Oxfordshire was cancelled, while Glade struggled all weekend following heavy flooding on the Friday.

Our reviewer Dan Fahey was forced to sleep in several inches of water on Saturday night at the Berkshire dance event.

He said: "The site is basically a valley, so there was a three foot lake of stagnant rain water and many of the stages were flooded.

"It was worse than Glastonbury two years ago but, like then, everyone still seemed to be having a great time."

Not everyone it seems. Some were forced to abandon their cars on routes to and from the Aldermaston festival due to flooding, while others trying to leave the site were marooned.

Local residents reportedly took in cold and dishevelled revellers and several have accused security and the police of doing nothing to help.

All was well for Friday night headliners UNKLE however, who were brought in on a tractor and arrived on stage just five minutes late.

Tell us about your wet'n'wild weekend, comment below...

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