Sun comes out for festival
This year's Sunrise Celebration at its new location, Gilcombe Farm, near Bruton, was in marked contrast to last year's event, which was hit by a torrential rainstorm at its site at Tintinhull near Yeovil on the first day and cancelled.
Sunrise this year broke all the conventions that guide the average music festival – no big stage, no big headliners and no corporate sponsorship.
But despite this the organisers and more importantly festival-goers declared that this Sunrise – the fourth – was the best yet.
Blessed with four days of hot, dry weather more than 3.000 festival goers enjoyed music, ethical fashion shows, healing talks and exercises and talks on ecological issues and green politics.
The festival prides itself on its green credentials, with all the food and drink consumed organic and mostly sourced locally.
Bio-fuel powered generators provided some of the power but most of the staging used wind generators and solar panels, as well as low-drain lighting and sound systems.
The live music stages were set up in the cafes and bars which broke the mould of festival catering by selling their products at pub prices instead of at a huge mark-up.
Biggest draws for the weekend were cult London-based musicians The Bays – who never record or practice together, sell no CDs or merchandise, and improvise their entire set so each evening is different – their shows are legendary, and Saturday night's performance did not disappoint.
And the crowd also go the chance to see top astrologer Jonathan Cainer walk on hot coals.
Festival organiser Sophie Docker said: "We are all absolutely thrilled with the festival this year – the nice weather is such a relief after last year. There were moments we doubted we would ever see this happen, but we are so delighted we stuck with it.
"We are really grateful to South Somerset for all their help and support, and to the people round Gilcombe Farm for their patience and their welcome."
Julia Bradburn, South Somerset District Council's principal licensing officer, said: "As festivals go it was fantastic, the perfect weather conditions made a huge difference and the event was very well attended. Overall, licensing issues went smoothly and we were pleased to be involved."
A police spokesman said the event was very peaceful with very little crime reported .
The spokesman added "Neighbourhood teams patrolled outside the festival, while the festival organisers did the job inside. So far we have had no adverse reaction at all from local people. "
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