Shropshire Star

Weston Park reveals plans for the year

Weston Park is set to introduce luxury glamping and augmented reality as it prepares for a year without the former V-Fest.

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Weston Park

Andrea Webster, marketing manager at the venue, said the venue was proud of its association with the festival and are now focussed on introducing a number of new events throughout the year.

The marketing manager also revealed that the venue is "very excited" about the prospect of an as-yet-unnamed event scheduled to take place next year – organised by Roseclaim, the company behind V-Fest.

Ms Webster said that the temporary luxury glamping would feature wig-wams and would take place in August, while the augmented reality feature would be introduced for children in the summer holidays.

She also revealed plans for another event, based on an "enchanted forest" theme, scheduled to take place in December.

She said: "We have got some really exciting plans in place for this year. We are going to introduce a new experience for our younger visitors during the summer holidays based on augmented reality.

"We are also in the final stage of going ahead with a luxury glamping village on the August bank holiday."

The glamping will be feature wig-wams, hot tubs and fire pits for cooking.

Weston Park is already home to four self catering properties.

Ms Webster added: "It will be a couple of weeks at the end of August where visitors can stay for a bit longer.

"It is something a bit different. It is taking camping to the next level in a beautiful setting."

Ms Webster said that the park was proud of hosting V-Fest, which had taken place at the venue for the past 19 years, and is looking forward to the future.

She would not be drawn on whether the event with Roseclaim next year would be the return of a festival.

She said: "We are disappointed it is not going to be taking place but we have been enormously proud to be home to the former V-Fest for the last 19 years.

"We are very excited about working here with Roseclaim on another project on the estate in 2019."

V-Fest organiser Roseclaim announced earlier this week that it would be replacing V-Fest with RiZE Festival, and that the event would take place solely at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex.

The first V-Fest took place at Weston Park in 1999.

Blymhill and Weston-under-Lizard Parish Council chairman Councillor David Maddocks expressed his disappointment at the news.

He said a ‘significant’ fund given to his and Tong Parish Council had supported projects such as the building of a new village hall.

He said: “It has been met with great disappointment in this area.

“The majority of people are disappointed, there are a few always in opposition, but there in recent years the disruption has been very small.

“And the money we receive is always welcomed.

“It also gave young people in our area an event each year to look forward to. I know many are disappointed by this announcement.”

He added: “I’d welcome any move for the event to come back next year."