Sideshows
As usual, there’ll be a load of other great stuff going on at the 2013 festival, as well as all the incredible films and speakers. Take a look at this lot…
THE VINTAGE CINEMA BUS
The vintage mobile cinema is a slice of cinema and automotive history, one of only seven custom built for the British government in the late 1960s. The other six have trundled off to the scrapyard in the sky, leaving only this one. It was built by the Ministry of Technology to tour the nation’s factories, promoting modern production techniques to British industry and, following many years in fields and workshops, has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Over the weekend the cinema bus will feature a programme of fantastic documentary shorts from the extensive archives of the much-loved British Film Institute. The films are curated by Austin Vince and, if you get a taste for them, all are on sale on DVD from the BFI.
The bus has 22 seats, which fill up quickly. Sign up for a showing at the HQ tent.
KEVAN PALMER’S BUSHCRAFT SKILLS AND FORAGE WALK
Kev’s bushcraft lessons and forage walk were huge hits at last year’s festival so we’re delighted to welcome him back. Kev is a highly accomplished woodsman, craftsman and naturalist and is recognised as one of the UK’s leading bushcraft instructors. His knowledge has developed since childhood where his interest in flora, fauna and the great outdoors began. Membership of the Scouts and the Woodcraft folk gave him early experience of camping and bivouacking and it was at the tender age of 9, through the Woodcraft Folk, that he was introduced to edible wild plants which kindled his lifelong passion for the subject. He has since travelled extensively throughout the world and taught bushcraft to thousands of people, as well as providing specialist survival advice to numerous TV productions, including Bear Grylls’ ‘Born Survivor’ series. Be sure to set some time aside to take one of his bushcraft lessons or join his forage walk. After spending some time with Kev, you will never view a country stroll in the same way again!
NICK SMITH’S CAMPFIRE COOKING COMPETITION
Nick Smith is something of a legend on the Saharan expedition scene. He has driven support Land Rovers all over The Empty Quarter as part of the Beast of Burden company. He is famously unflappable and as a Yorkshireman, has a natural affinity with the nomadic Touareg tribesmen he so often encounters. Back in workaday England he has gained a reputation as a phenomenally knowledgeable horticulturalist and organic gardener whilst caring for the nationally famous formal gardens at Parceval hall in the Yorkshire Dales. As if that wasn’t enough, Nick also elegantly hosts the film festival’s Campfire Cooking Competition; each entrant is issued with a frying pan, a range of humble ingredients, some twigs and a few matches. Their brief, to rustle up the tastiest meal they possibly can! Nick Smith is well placed to adjudicate such a contest since his ‘Sahara Suppers’ are the stuff of expedition folklore. We are lucky to have him!
MATTHEW CASHMORE’S TRAVELLER’S KITCHEN
Legendary globe-trotting gourmet, Matthew Cashmore, saves us from the nightmare of petrol station snacks as he serves up a mini food fiesta within the festival! Matthew will walk you through the ideal travellers’ kitchen – all the gear you need and all the gear you should leave at home. Follow your nose to his meal tent and discover the culinary delights of cooking with ingredients you find along the way, and even food you can trap yourself. Join in the live demonstrations and enjoy the delicacies you help cook.
THE JOLENES
Join The Jolenes for a Saturday night hoe-down! Appearing for the second time at the festival due to popular deman, and featuring our very own curator, Lois Pryce on the banjo, these gals are guaranteed to get you in the party mood. With their signature red frocks and an ozone-troubling amount of hairspray, The Jolenes have been busy thrilling audiences (and prison inmates) throughout the UK and Europe with their down-home blend of red-hot rockin’ bluegrass and old-time country. Now it’s your turn!
MR DAVID VINER
Viner, 26, first emerged from a cloud of roll-up smoke in 2003, with the release of his eponymous debut album on the Hollywood Dim Mak label. His second album, This Boy Don’t Care followed a year later on Loog. Tours have included support slots with Spiritualized, blues legend Dr. John and, most potently, The White Stripes on their 2007 European tour. He will be playing and singing around the campfire on Friday and Saturday nights.
AND DON’T FORGET THE STARLIGHT SCREENING!
On Friday and Saturday nights we will show the headline film on a giant outdoor screen (weather permitting). If our plan is foiled by rain we will all pile into the giant sports hall – the whole gang under roof! Don’t forget to bring a camp-chair or a blanket to sit on.
